tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26824577742458439242024-03-17T20:02:48.544-07:00Joyous LessonsSharing the joys of a Catholic Charlotte Mason education at homeCelestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.comBlogger649125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-6663612617062496472023-09-26T16:08:00.000-07:002023-09-26T16:08:35.452-07:00Announcing: The Coralean Islands!<p>Exciting news: Gianna has a new novel out! <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3PRl106" target="_blank">The Coralean Islands</a></i> is the second book in her Four Red Banners series. (She published the first book, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/46tA8C7" target="_blank">Four Red Banners</a></i>, a couple years ago.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWI-aic4g6A74Wqy0KVCkj-4o4l1Wx9YGdyHgLpm2Iw0WRQ4iO15nHVcrd-BeYPNmEorkn6uCydmUtIC54b4izuu_Ih4Tb9UqYkUaBB4uYrZZIaXue2T3_wON96-CNKnV6c_tbK1pVHO7I8h1tBS_Z1ehKmKi9kGmD7VvYQXsMzQx-T1NGEsg4Tdt75Gr/s3113/20230926_123252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3113" data-original-width="2667" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWI-aic4g6A74Wqy0KVCkj-4o4l1Wx9YGdyHgLpm2Iw0WRQ4iO15nHVcrd-BeYPNmEorkn6uCydmUtIC54b4izuu_Ih4Tb9UqYkUaBB4uYrZZIaXue2T3_wON96-CNKnV6c_tbK1pVHO7I8h1tBS_Z1ehKmKi9kGmD7VvYQXsMzQx-T1NGEsg4Tdt75Gr/s320/20230926_123252.jpg" width="274" /></a></div><p>I honestly enjoyed this story even more than the last. It picks up where <i>Four Red Banners</i> left off but centers on the royal brothers. Here's the book description:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">The Coralean Islands have been suddenly attacked by an enemy neighbor, and King Colan and his army are headed to defend their territory. But deeper trouble than war awaits them there. Colan and his cousin Marius have a serious quarrel that threatens once again to divide loyalties throughout the army. Meanwhile the Acrosians become trapped in a ravine, and as the enemy begins to surround them, Prince Hector makes a weighty decision that he hopes will end both the quarrel and the war. But it has consequences he didn't expect, not only for himself but for everyone he loves.</p></blockquote><p>You can find it <a href="https://amzn.to/3PRl106" target="_blank">on Amazon</a>!</p>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-37446579994692840312023-06-18T17:34:00.000-07:002023-06-18T17:34:02.814-07:00Catholic History and Religion :: 2023-24 School Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB3jhGuvU1fmsVdHcilJUT0Vggcn3h4F5YQeIrubON7pd8e3KtyXhaglTZNIJP8CyE7by6J0W9fEFApMNl-qBiMLZ9tBBrRb3VujuiSJlSaVW8R5XDqPL734JRojD9KrUZQkDHfEdCyEOeswUBnUDwdjlefxudQqiJMS4qcRIkLWgOx1O6FICT8AG2g/s3806/20230617_162835.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2390" data-original-width="3806" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB3jhGuvU1fmsVdHcilJUT0Vggcn3h4F5YQeIrubON7pd8e3KtyXhaglTZNIJP8CyE7by6J0W9fEFApMNl-qBiMLZ9tBBrRb3VujuiSJlSaVW8R5XDqPL734JRojD9KrUZQkDHfEdCyEOeswUBnUDwdjlefxudQqiJMS4qcRIkLWgOx1O6FICT8AG2g/w640-h402/20230617_162835.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">It's my annual post on our Catholic history and religion for the upcoming school year!</span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Below you'll find lots of Catholic supplements for medieval and modern history, which is what we'll be studying the coming year with </span><a href="https://www.thecmec.org/" target="_blank">the CMEC</a>. As usual, I have also included some Bible and religion resources I'll be using and links to recommendations from years past.</p></span><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">This post is organized into the following categories: Bible for all Forms, Catholic Historical Supplements for Forms 1-3, Religion for Forms 1-3, and Catholic </span><span style="color: #222222;">Historical Supplements and Religion for Forms 4 & 5 (High School).</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Previous' years plans:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2020/07/catholic-history-and-religion-2020-2021.html" target="_blank">2020-21 School Year</a> (1450-1600 and Ancient Near East/Egypt)</li><li><a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2021/08/catholic-history-and-religion-2021-2022.html" target="_blank">2021-22 School Year</a> (1600-1780 and Ancient Greece)</li><li><a href="https://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2022/07/catholic-history-and-religion-2022-2023.html" target="_blank">2022-23 School Year</a> (1780-1900 and Ancient Rome)</li></ul><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is my LAST post in the four years' history rotation. Soon I'm planning to create separate pages on the site to house these resources for future years -- and to be a place I can update as I come across great new books!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">~~~</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7OeLfBH2FRlWo0mq6dzMDbzf6AiHmDKv5PbL_9G89nlgDK2KwJFz-lFaEHSW8OxDfaxzy41apvCIT9EoBGebp5qaGA_hjBPkJETELKhF1OT0RkB8GQdPYbS9NRZKAx3dFGpTLVeLEG1SJocv5KiCiqtilGnNvaKFGP8-EPM4WkpDGE6GZpayCT_kug/s3290/20230617_162743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2563" data-original-width="3290" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7OeLfBH2FRlWo0mq6dzMDbzf6AiHmDKv5PbL_9G89nlgDK2KwJFz-lFaEHSW8OxDfaxzy41apvCIT9EoBGebp5qaGA_hjBPkJETELKhF1OT0RkB8GQdPYbS9NRZKAx3dFGpTLVeLEG1SJocv5KiCiqtilGnNvaKFGP8-EPM4WkpDGE6GZpayCT_kug/w640-h498/20230617_162743.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><b style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">BIBLE</b></b></p>Lower Forms</b><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;"><span>For Old Testament, my students in Form 1-3 will be reading through parts of Samuel and Kings. </span></span></span>For New Testament, my students in Forms 1 and 2 will read the Gospel of Matthew.<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2682457774245843924/2330809967532515883#" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">As I have explained before</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, the CMEC follows the PNEU in scheduling Paterson-Smyth's books as a resource for Bible lessons, so I will be using his volumes on these sections</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> for my preparation as well (<i>Prophets and Kings</i> and <i>Saint Matthew</i>). I don't agree with everything he writes, but he offers good "captain ideas" for Bible lessons that get at the over-arching themes of the assigned Bible texts.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I like to take his suggestions in light of Catholic resources; for this, I often rely on </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2W39jmT" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Knecht's <i>A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture</i></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. This tome (it's a thick one!) provides a Catholic perspective on both Old and New Testaments: historical background, theological and doctrinal connections, notes for personal application. I have used it in various ways over the past few years and always with good results. It</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">also includes a few nice images and diagrams helpful for Book of Centuries work.</span></p><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Upper Forms</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">For Old Testament, my high schoolers will be reading through some of the minor prophets this year: Amos, Hosea, and Micah. We will have</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> a few commentary resources on hand:</span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><ul><li><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dummelow's <i>One-Volume Bible Commentary</i> - We have used this </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">PNEU-re</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">commended commentary for the past few years. My kids appreciate the historical details it includes on each book. (<a href="https://amzn.to/3RRenpF" target="_blank">This</a> is the new edition -- we have an older used one.)</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">I will be previewing the <a href="https://amzn.to/42uzZMC" target="_blank">Navarre volume on The Minor Prophets</a> for their reference as well.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;">We also draw on the Catholic Encyclopedia at New Advent whenever my kids have a question they'd like to explore further.</span></li></ul></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">For New Testament, they will have two streams of reading. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">First, Form 3 and up will be reading the gospels alongside Charlotte Mason's </span><i style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/saviour-of-the-world-by-charlotte-mason" target="_blank">Saviour of the World</a></i><span style="background-color: white;">. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Second, they'll be reading the epistles to the Thessalonians and </span><span style="background-color: white;">Corinthians</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">. I like the short introductions to each epistle <a href="https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/1-2-corinthians" target="_blank">from Catholic Answers</a> as well as the Dummlow linked above. (I have been previewing additional commentaries but don't think they are necessary for these epistles. However, if you have a favorite classic commentary written by a saint to recommend, let me know! For example, we loved St. Robert Bellarmine's Commentary on the Psalms last year.)</span></div><div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>All Forms</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In all our Bible lessons, we will be reading directly from our favorite translation, <a href="https://amzn.to/38t0SpD" target="_blank">the Douay-Rheims</a>. Each of my Upper Forms students has <a href="https://amzn.to/3jhHEcm">his or her own copy to use</a>, and I use mine for the younger kids. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We rely often on <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2Vcw8XU" target="_blank">The Dore Bible Illustrations</a></i>. I have used this volume for years and it so handy to have these scenes so reverently and beautifully illustrated all in one place!</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">As a side note: our </span><a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/tbg-songbook-cmec" target="_blank"><i><span style="background-color: white;">TBG Songbooks</span></i><span style="background-color: white;"> from Riverbend Press</span></a> <span style="background-color: white;">include the Bible passages for the year in the King James Version, so I print ours in the Douay-Rheims and tape it in for our recitations. And for the terms that schedule a hymn we have already covered, we will work on reciting the additional verses of that hymn but also add in a Latin hymn to learn.</span></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">~~~</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuYg767sDKtj285IHRuC5GgeuieLe_YR4N_lFk_i2azGJcDps_GW3vOAvSpJehtU49XL_vdpJNDjWv6A-7YCAjyVi03n1kmafMO2CY7xvV4HS8qE7W7ezHQTawdGk7SouVoeBPnL-nyN2hyj7ahbzySZgVC_HJ05HOATBBKID33ROSB7Kd8xIA1kxrw/s4031/20230617_160957.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2837" data-original-width="4031" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuYg767sDKtj285IHRuC5GgeuieLe_YR4N_lFk_i2azGJcDps_GW3vOAvSpJehtU49XL_vdpJNDjWv6A-7YCAjyVi03n1kmafMO2CY7xvV4HS8qE7W7ezHQTawdGk7SouVoeBPnL-nyN2hyj7ahbzySZgVC_HJ05HOATBBKID33ROSB7Kd8xIA1kxrw/w640-h450/20230617_160957.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b><b><div><b>CATHOLIC HISTORICAL SUPPLEMENTS FOR FORMS 1-3</b></div></b></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">This coming year, we will be studying roughly 1900-present. My Form 2A and 3 students will also be studying the Middle Ages in Europe for their general history stream.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><b>Biographies</b><br /></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">There are many great options for saint biographies for these time periods! My <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;"><span>Form 1 students will read a couple easier biographies from the list below; w</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">hen they come around to this period again in Form 2 or 3, they will have the chance to read the others. My Form 2 and 3 students have 1-2 biographies assigned each term, depending on age and ability. Ideally, the Form 2A and 3 kids to have one medieval and one modern saint to read about each term. T</span>he rest will go on their free read shelf. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A few notes on the list: T</span>he books below have been ordered by series/difficulty level. This list is not meant to be comprehensive; it is just what I have on my shelves or have purchased for this year's studies! Also, <span style="font-family: inherit;">Form 3 students who are strong readers may also like some of the options under High School.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Windeatt series: </div><div style="background-color: white;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://amzn.to/466Mz7N" target="_blank"><i>St. Catherine of Siena: The Story of the Girl Who Saw Saints in the Sky</i></a></li><li style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Jjsr8I"><i>Saint Dominic: Preacher of the Rosary and Founder of the Dominican Order</i></a></li><li style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3XbpcWo" target="_blank"><i>Saint Thomas Aquinas: The Story of the Dumb Ox</i></a></li><li style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/448DKZp" target="_blank"><i>St. Benedict: The Story of the Father of the Western Monks</i></a></li><li aria-level="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3NcQ6sy" target="_blank">The Children of Fatima and Our Lady's Message to the World</a></em></li><li aria-level="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3PjFPgP" target="_blank">Saint Hyacinth of Poland: The Story of the Apostle of the North</a></em></li></ul></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Vision series: </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://amzn.to/42QeCp4" target="_blank">Tarry's <i>St. Katharine Drexel: Friend of the Oppressed</i></a> (assigned by the CMEC)</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/42GbyMg" target="_blank">Beebe's <i>Saint Dominic and the Rosary</i></a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3NfXT8O" target="_blank">Thompson's <i>St. Elizabeth's Three Crowns</i></a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/442o2ij" target="_blank">Homan's <i>Francis and Clare: Saints of Assisi</i></a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3Nbst3r" target="_blank">De Maria's <i>Saint Maximillian Kolbe: A Hero of the Holocaust</i></a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3PiJCer" target="_blank">Diethelm's <i>St. Pius X: The Farm Boy Who Became Pope</i></a></li><li>Buliard's <i>My Eskimos: A Priest in the Arctic</i> (out of print)</li></ul></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">F.A. Forbes series: <a href="https://amzn.to/3XeO4g6" target="_blank"><i>Saint Catherine of Siena</i></a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/St-Athanasius-Father-Orthodoxy-Forbes/dp/0895556235/" target="_blank"><i>Saint Athanasius</i></a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/3Jl3ObL" target="_blank"><i>Pope St. Pius X</i></a> (better for Form 3)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Other books:</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3qEtucH" target="_blank">Ball's </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3qEtucH" target="_blank">Blessed Miguel Pro</a> </i>(from Tan Books, very nice bio, better for Form 3)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/442BjHJ" target="_blank">Royer's <i>Padre Pro</i></a> (from Hillside)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="https://amzn.to/4407l7L" target="_blank">Saint Gertrude the Great: Herald of Divine Love</a></i> (from Tan Books, tiny volume)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/43LFqbh" target="_blank">Fitzhenry's <i>El Cid: God's Own Champion</i></a> (haven't read this yet, but it was recently written and there are others by this author if we like this one!)</span></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/42Ni1Fh" target="_blank">Canton's <i>The Story of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary</i></a> (a PNEU selection)</li><li><i>Saint Gianna Beretta Molla</i> from the Encounter the Saints series (out of print)</li></ul></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">Historical Fiction</b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I like to add some Catholic historical fiction to the free read shelf when able. A few for this year:</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/43Lt0jQ" target="_blank">Godden's <i>The Kitchen Madonna</i></a> (a longtime favorite)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Jkswsu" target="_blank">Leighton's <i>Twelve Bright Trumpets</i></a> (new to me and looks very promising!)</span></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3Jfmr0H" target="_blank">Peek's <i>Crusader King: A Novel about Baldin IV and the Crusades</i></a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3qO8TTo" target="_blank">Kadar-Kallen's <i>The Cross Our Compass</i></a> (well-researched, set in WWII, and written by a homeschool grad!)</li></ul></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b>Other Notes on Form 1-3 History</b></div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><br /></div><div>For the Middle Ages, Christine Miller's <i>The Story of the Middle Ages</i> is the CMEC's recommended spine. The nice thing about this text is that it provides a broader view, covering the history of much of Europe (not just England). I read this book with my students four years ago and don't recall anything problematic for Catholic families but will add notes here if I encounter anything worth a caution.</div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Similarly, our assigned American history texts for these Forms for the modern period (<i>Builders of Our Country</i>, <i>The Landmark History of the American People</i>, and <i>Land of Hope</i>) do not present issues for Catholics.</span></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">~~~</span></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8I8WY5QR3M27yQ6Uat1ENtCO3BnBz0anuCEPqBXcNlSTAFtD33DguWSjj-a_0hICSluhb_aUOPCgVPjAI807EmHeK4aIcgZBma-zo9p7V8q9swtm-uJVdRevljLhxQSGKInFJ4SgxVFPAWGHuqtxk-YJTCHHwiR70qn8Bm0M7sbETPlyIss6npqC0Kw/s3802/20230617_161313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1958" data-original-width="3802" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8I8WY5QR3M27yQ6Uat1ENtCO3BnBz0anuCEPqBXcNlSTAFtD33DguWSjj-a_0hICSluhb_aUOPCgVPjAI807EmHeK4aIcgZBma-zo9p7V8q9swtm-uJVdRevljLhxQSGKInFJ4SgxVFPAWGHuqtxk-YJTCHHwiR70qn8Bm0M7sbETPlyIss6npqC0Kw/w640-h330/20230617_161313.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b>RELIGION FOR FORMS 1-3</b></div><div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Catechetical Instruction</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">This year, I will be continuing a study of the Mass with my Form 1 and 2 students and preparation for Confirmation with my Form 3 and 4 students. See the <a href="https://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2022/07/catholic-history-and-religion-2022-2023.html" target="_blank">post from last year</a> for the resources we are using!</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">My Form 3 and 4 students will also be reading <a href="https://amzn.to/43KOugG" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Knox's </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">The Mass in Slow Motion</i></a>,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> which was </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a big favorite of my older kids at this age! (Note: I have a different version than the one linked. Mine is a poorly-done reprint with lots of typos; I'm hoping this one is perhaps better?) I also have <a href="https://amzn.to/42GdILS" target="_blank">O'Sullivan's <i>All about the Angels</i></a> on the shelf for my Form 3 student since he hasn't read it yet.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;">We will be also reading from <a href="https://books.google.com/books/about/Children_s_Retreats.html?id=Tc6SmQEACAAJ" target="_blank"><i>Children's Retreats</i> by Reverend Halpin</a>, which unfortunately seems to be out of print. I plan for m</span></span>y Form 1 and 2 students to read the Confession and Communion chapters and my Form 3 and 4 students the Confirmation chapters, but I may end up reading it aloud over breakfast with everyone.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">Spiritual Reading and Liturgical Year (read as a family over meals)</b></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">This year, we will </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">continue</span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"> </span><i style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://amzn.to/38wjUvf" target="_blank">A Character Calendar</a></i><i style="background-color: white;">, </i><span style="background-color: white;">which has been a favorite with my younger students.</span><span><span style="background-color: white;"> I will also be reading from </span></span><span><span style="background-color: white;">Mother Loyola's </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3ROhO0d" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">"With the Church" series</a>, which has been my personal reading for the past year<span style="background-color: white;">. I am excited to share some of my favorite parts with the children.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="background-color: white;">I also plan to read from <a href="https://amzn.to/3NCZuY0" target="_blank">Mother Loyola's <i>Trust</i></a>, a new-to-us title. We have loved everything Mother Loyola wrote and I'm hoping this book will be another winner!</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">~~~</span></div></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKHTjKevEbx8w3p2fNAAEv4Ruv7DKXFQBXIuKSnDVpnDDMDcCFFy9GI330P43DQC38FWwEkZWN9RDGxWyGz919lnevNMJDudJgrPapWXB9Mn8vLH_zYANySRwXkHv8TzqpjWi4diaZWDdLCXfFzqYoSYW-1RUaYJYyM70_m5iu0YX9ODausEgAcm9lg/s3976/20230617_161110.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2559" data-original-width="3976" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKHTjKevEbx8w3p2fNAAEv4Ruv7DKXFQBXIuKSnDVpnDDMDcCFFy9GI330P43DQC38FWwEkZWN9RDGxWyGz919lnevNMJDudJgrPapWXB9Mn8vLH_zYANySRwXkHv8TzqpjWi4diaZWDdLCXfFzqYoSYW-1RUaYJYyM70_m5iu0YX9ODausEgAcm9lg/w640-h412/20230617_161110.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">CATHOLIC SUPPLEMENTS AND RELIGION FOR FORMS 4 & 5 (HIGH SCHOOL)</b></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This year, I will have two seniors (Form 5) and one freshman (Form 4). My seniors have read so much and are also so much older, so there are some things I will be assigning all my high schoolers together and others that make more sense for me to assign separately. You will see notes to that end below.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As always, please preview the books listed below before handing to your high schoolers.</span></div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><b>History Texts</b></div><div style="color: #222222;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="color: #222222;">In addition to the CMEC's high school history texts, <span style="font-family: inherit;">I add a weekly Catholic history block to my high schoolers' timetable.</span></div><div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The main text for all my high schoolers this year will be <a href="https://amzn.to/3pbdbUu" target="_blank">Laux's <i>Church History</i></a>. Even in this one-volume history text, the Middle Ages makes up a large chunk of it (pp. 192-409, or about eight pages weekly). But it is more condensed than the volume and a half of Carroll's series that covers this time period, and I think </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">my seniors will like Laux's style more than Carroll's. (</span>My Form 4 student will focus just on the medieval era in her Catholic history reading, so this will be her only assigned text.)</div><div style="color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222;">My Form 5 students can handle a bit more reading and will benefit from a broader view in this their senior year, so they will add the following:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="color: #222222;">One chapter per term from <a href="https://amzn.to/43Ckkfv" target="_blank">Belloc's <i>Europe and the Faith</i></a></li><li style="color: #222222;">A bit of reading on the history of the modern era in the Church at the end of Term 3 (not sure yet, but currently planning to assign about thirty pages from Vidmar's <i>The Catholic Church Through the Ages</i> -- not a big fan of his take on it, but I already have it on the shelf and it will make for good conversation with my students)</li><li style="color: #222222;">On the free read shelf because they love Belloc: the rest of <i>Europe and the Faith</i>, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Cx3S4e" target="_blank">The Great Heresies</a></i> (will tie together their history from the past four years),<i> </i>and <a href="https://amzn.to/3PlFgTE" target="_blank"><i>The Crusades</i></a></li></ul></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbgxUMPB-OYWxGRaZ5HSqg8THhcAxbtUT-CRVWybalL7s-pQtG3RXQvhM8zhiCciusd5tbR3GvAqutX30ZxIym7oR5XAaGvOqYuwgcvpcipKKqFUXzfLwIJV_h1hf2kB0jL6URF6vK0lUifTbhgqQ0XNBeSj9apYipJ0XqG2xJB8TbQ0G24uU2K4BZw/s3583/20230617_161611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2347" data-original-width="3583" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbgxUMPB-OYWxGRaZ5HSqg8THhcAxbtUT-CRVWybalL7s-pQtG3RXQvhM8zhiCciusd5tbR3GvAqutX30ZxIym7oR5XAaGvOqYuwgcvpcipKKqFUXzfLwIJV_h1hf2kB0jL6URF6vK0lUifTbhgqQ0XNBeSj9apYipJ0XqG2xJB8TbQ0G24uU2K4BZw/w640-h420/20230617_161611.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Catholic Literature (tied to this year's history studies)</b></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These will go in their leisure reading time. Some selections for this year:</span></div></div><div><ul><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3JkWZXt" target="_blank">Benson's <i>The Lord of the World</i></a> (he is a family favorite and I am looking forward to this for my Form 5 students)</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3JjTUqW" target="_blank">O'Brien's <i>Strangers and Sojourners</i></a> (pre-reading for my Form 5 students -- if you have read it, let me know what you think)</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3NcZsoa" target="_blank">Wilder's <i>Bridge of San Luis Rey</i></a> (we are doing <i>Our Town</i> with the CMEC, so I thought this would be a nice addition)</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3qKnsaB" target="_blank">Chesterton's </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3qKnsaB" target="_blank">Lepanto</a> </i>(we have already done his wonderful <i>Ballad of the White Horse</i>, which is scheduled by the CMEC, so we will read this instead)</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/467hu3N" target="_blank">Barrett's <i>The Lilies of the Field</i></a> (and perhaps we'll watch the movie afterward!)</li><li>We will also be reading Dante's <i>Divine Comedy</i> this year along with the CMEC!</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3M5U3xMORdqIcENE-Rn4_pXjkebIHUBlY7OK7R1WV50z9o81v2OvVZ0rTMr82DW3W7t4IHMIclCiaLusv4t5aNNKfzmwTnhqbjlngKPlyeeVEvfbO5Ml0D3JS9mfZ02ccA_ygzv02246o0lCfdt5v4mnK5CA9sW6SEyNTpsLgaymH07Q-sXccMt7c1Q/s4031/20230617_161459.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="4031" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3M5U3xMORdqIcENE-Rn4_pXjkebIHUBlY7OK7R1WV50z9o81v2OvVZ0rTMr82DW3W7t4IHMIclCiaLusv4t5aNNKfzmwTnhqbjlngKPlyeeVEvfbO5Ml0D3JS9mfZ02ccA_ygzv02246o0lCfdt5v4mnK5CA9sW6SEyNTpsLgaymH07Q-sXccMt7c1Q/w640-h320/20230617_161459.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">Biographies, Autobiographies, and Spiritual Classics (tied to this year's history studies)</b></div><div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some of these will be for Sunday reading, some for leisure reading, some just optional.</span></div><div><ul><li><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/43Xwrnm" target="_blank">Chesterton's <i>Saint Francis and Saint Thomas Aquinas</i></a> (scheduled by the CMEC as one of the term biographies)</span></li><li><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Pka2wm" target="_blank">Glynn's </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Pka2wm" target="_blank">A Song for Nagasaki</a> </i>(</span>scheduled by the CMEC as one of the term biographies)</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/43L76No" target="_blank">Dorcy's <i>Saint Dominic</i></a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/464jnOR" target="_blank">Undset's <i>Catherine of Siena</i></a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3PqIXr4" target="_blank">Coulombe's <i>Blessed Charles of Austria</i></a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3NBHYmX" target="_blank">Goldmann's <i>The Shadow of His Wings</i></a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/46c8pqe" target="_blank">Raymond's <i>The Family that Overtook Christ</i></a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3qH3v4m">Molla's <i>The Journey of Our Love</i></a> (for my Form 5 daughter, named for St. Gianna)</li><li>Additional books on St. Therese for my students who read<i> Story of a Soul</i> last year: <i>My Sister St. Therese</i>, <i>The Father of the Little Flower</i>, <i>The Mother of the Little Flower </i>(all seem to be out of print on Amazon, unfortunately)</li><li><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3CBwgSK" target="_blank">Stronger than Steel: Soldiers of the Great War Write to Thérèse of Lisieux</a> </i>(a gift from a good friend!)</li><li><i><a href="https://amzn.to/43MGOue" target="_blank">The Life and Revelations of St. Gertrude the Great</a></i></li><li>De Wohl's <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3PiQqIH" target="_blank">Citadel of God: A Novel about St. Benedict</a></i>, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3CBRlMQ" target="_blank">Lay Siege to Heaven: A Novel about St. Catherine of Siena</a></i>, <a href="https://amzn.to/467XGxf" target="_blank"><i>The Quiet Light: A Novel about Saint Thomas Aquinas</i></a> (fictionalized biographies -- my older kids have loved these, and I think my newly-Form 4 daughter will too!)</li><li style="color: #222222;"><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3pi1P0O" target="_blank">The Little Flowers of Saint Francis</a></i> (my older two have used the Italian version for this Italian studies over the years, the version of I have is out of print but this one looks good)</li><li style="color: #222222;"><i>The Rule of St. Benedict</i></li></ul>As a note: the biographies listed for Form 3 by Ann Ball and F.A. Forbes would also make great reading for a high school student.<div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" style="color: #222222;"></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2sYGDqUaXbkOcnbmwMbGxToSuxp_liNSl2Mcy26gkADtowMKn-CMXvQZPjMyhHMbQCtBX-v9V5m19WmqO6g6DBE8VyBbUolC-iOSqS_1E5kRQIJDgOWdgLHG7dXqrjn5Raswm881rUtUsp1pxPMvscCOnYE0ucSca-3t_Q8sbLX5OLQOam2fevjLxg/s3247/20230617_161807.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2554" data-original-width="3247" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2sYGDqUaXbkOcnbmwMbGxToSuxp_liNSl2Mcy26gkADtowMKn-CMXvQZPjMyhHMbQCtBX-v9V5m19WmqO6g6DBE8VyBbUolC-iOSqS_1E5kRQIJDgOWdgLHG7dXqrjn5Raswm881rUtUsp1pxPMvscCOnYE0ucSca-3t_Q8sbLX5OLQOam2fevjLxg/w400-h315/20230617_161807.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #222222;">Catechetical Reading (tied to this year's history studies)</b></div><div><div style="color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222;">My Form 4 student is preparing for her Confirmation, as mentioned above, so this reading is just for my Form 5 students. This will be slotted for Sunday reading and includes some from the Middle Ages and some from the modern era:</div><div><div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #222222;"><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3XfX84w">Aquinas's Shorter Summa: Saint Thomas's Own Concise Version of His Summa Theologica</a></i> (they have been begging to read some of the Summa, so I thought this would be a good option -- it's still quite long, though, so they likely won't read the whole thing)</span></li><li style="color: #222222;">I also plan to have them read an encyclical each term, which is something they have not done yet. I wanted to choose ones that would be both historically important and clarifying about some aspect of the Faith or the Church's position today. I am currently planning on Aeterni Patris by Leo XIII, Pascendi Dominici Gregis by Pope Pius X, and Caritas in Veritate by Benedict XVI.</li><li style="color: #222222;">Last in this section, I wanted to have them read some short works by the Early Church Fathers. Ideally I would like a compilation volume, but every one I have previewed so far has been too much (very long, multiple volumes) or not enough (mostly descriptions of the Fathers rather than the works themselvees). If you have recommendations, please let me know!</li></ul></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="color: #222222;"><b>Devotional Reading (not tied to this year's history studies)</b></div><div style="color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222;">This includes Advent reading, Lent reading, daily spiritual reading for their personal devotional time, additional reading for the free read shelf, etc.</div><div><ul><li style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/447qhki" target="_blank">Sheen's </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/447qhki" target="_blank">Characters of the Passion</a> </i>(for Lent -- they loved his <i>Life of Christ</i> last year)</span></li><li><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/42MHrTe" target="_blank">Knox's </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/42MHrTe" target="_blank">In Soft Garments: Classic Catholic Apologetics</a> </i>(for my Form 5, and there is a second volume of these Oxford lectures if they want to read further!)</span></li><li><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Nl7Zpg" target="_blank">Jarrett's <i>Classic Catholic Meditations</i></a> (daily reading, really looking forward to this one)</span></li><li><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3XbpLQ6" target="_blank">Sister Mary Philip and Mother Mary Loyola's <i>The Sacred Heart and Mine in Holy Communion</i></a> (for my Form 4 daughter)</span></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3XaGG5q" target="_blank">Hildebrand's <i>The Privilege of Being a Woman</i></a> (for my Form 5 daughter)</li></ul></div><div style="color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">~~~</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">I hope this helps those studying these time periods with us this fall!</span><br /><br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">Any wonderful books I should add to the list above? Let me know in the comments!</span><br /><br /></span><i>(Amazon links above are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!)</i></div></div></div>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-2992859592041154542023-06-07T09:26:00.003-07:002023-06-07T09:37:33.067-07:00Wrapping Up the 2022-23 School Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWVIIVsTvLWq5z4OyJ2KuAb9len_XUCjmkVh322jJ2hqvx6HpZG6z-xTqWV8gU_2TBzNu2pfvZTEE3RzbrqAUIGjov1ZEo0EEIdDxuAKZ8ClCU7z7hscC-5-76rjXxmyLp_KGxD3LZwS5zKfTaHQelodX-VaYL8MBy_QMeSB05tpTszPDP8LbxeMJBQ/s2827/20230405_105327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2827" data-original-width="2670" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWVIIVsTvLWq5z4OyJ2KuAb9len_XUCjmkVh322jJ2hqvx6HpZG6z-xTqWV8gU_2TBzNu2pfvZTEE3RzbrqAUIGjov1ZEo0EEIdDxuAKZ8ClCU7z7hscC-5-76rjXxmyLp_KGxD3LZwS5zKfTaHQelodX-VaYL8MBy_QMeSB05tpTszPDP8LbxeMJBQ/w378-h400/20230405_105327.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The last time I posted here was last summer -- which means a whole school year has flown by! I thought I'd take the chance to share some highlights from the year before moving in to the next one.</div><p style="text-align: left;">But before I jump in: a few family updates...</p><p>This year, I had two in each Form: Gianna and Vincent in Form 5, Catherine and Xavier in Form 3, Bridget and Clara in Form 2, Andrew and Justin in Form 1 (and Damien and Emilia in Kinderleben!). It really worked out well having the students paired so neatly this year -- not only did it save me prep time, but my students always had someone to work with when desired.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrqfJZmRAKQnQwC2d3HFxEMUNVud709PTx3ct6JGvKvyHMsTAghOSQsoesQ53qyEQ_UDk49TMe46fjZILp6CIRS5kv4nY0d6u8ZtdzW9u7Dbhp5bktTU79oCcwfAOtTYdXYzjzP-ky-NJGpLIUkBT0lLsRXPH70fb-rUnhjfFugXMpE_jsfSRm5xJ_A/s3941/20220801_094505.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2955" data-original-width="3941" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrqfJZmRAKQnQwC2d3HFxEMUNVud709PTx3ct6JGvKvyHMsTAghOSQsoesQ53qyEQ_UDk49TMe46fjZILp6CIRS5kv4nY0d6u8ZtdzW9u7Dbhp5bktTU79oCcwfAOtTYdXYzjzP-ky-NJGpLIUkBT0lLsRXPH70fb-rUnhjfFugXMpE_jsfSRm5xJ_A/w400-h300/20220801_094505.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>And further, one thing I really like about the concept of Forms for the larger family is that although students are combined, students aren't forever paired with the </span><i>same </i><span>sibling. Depending on the year, they are sometimes with younger siblings, sometimes with older siblings; sometimes they are the youngest in a Form, and sometimes the oldest. I find this annual adjustment helps keep the dynamics fresh and gives the students a chance to strengthen different skills.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7cE4fJi4q0FjUICTkA1mgJfXcLt-kyOIYmccO8hnneo7tJY16qUOgpRgQTyKSRv6itiI5l3U1-uoRgt3fDftsWfSh9ae8-KDpSjgTY8FPIBHoVhbaQ0Qecs7VrFPcxdWvZ3scxToi-8r5bKhUKVbi3TU1-hJiMz4RXLiFPtXwgqr5az2EpgZwXzCdQ/s3759/20221025_101109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2650" data-original-width="3759" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7cE4fJi4q0FjUICTkA1mgJfXcLt-kyOIYmccO8hnneo7tJY16qUOgpRgQTyKSRv6itiI5l3U1-uoRgt3fDftsWfSh9ae8-KDpSjgTY8FPIBHoVhbaQ0Qecs7VrFPcxdWvZ3scxToi-8r5bKhUKVbi3TU1-hJiMz4RXLiFPtXwgqr5az2EpgZwXzCdQ/w400-h283/20221025_101109.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>The other big family update this year: Baby Matthew Campion! Preparing for and recovering from his arrival was certainly a big part of our homeschool. He arrived the day before Epiphany.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil63hxlBJLfMlSxS3V7BuM1L_bppu81QwE2vaKuKFAYy90FAcWp_btXWw4VaVWoG4DWmhNNnMbK6jstFRjJUYNJxO-RV5cpy2esOgoFgI8LF4DzzSkb0Bt2fuTw1c3cDm-czo4__j2bI_VFAjmD-dN5FGbu5f1Gnk7xq87KKCDQ1zWLsbYrE02Xy8iUQ/s4032/20230106_122815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil63hxlBJLfMlSxS3V7BuM1L_bppu81QwE2vaKuKFAYy90FAcWp_btXWw4VaVWoG4DWmhNNnMbK6jstFRjJUYNJxO-RV5cpy2esOgoFgI8LF4DzzSkb0Bt2fuTw1c3cDm-czo4__j2bI_VFAjmD-dN5FGbu5f1Gnk7xq87KKCDQ1zWLsbYrE02Xy8iUQ/w400-h300/20230106_122815.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9oRsPyXL9Rde539UIxSNKAd4-CNqcRBsZNfO6E79RWXtDliIvSl9hcX3Dmj7mITtmpqvIAts-hu8xSzSXPeYwaLhVAntbMbGdgDhoNC7O332QQajd5Yh4Gh3xe5FTpWqI9x28BMCXdRjPkHBYh-Gb-Ag9RzRCUWboNHnqATwqkIGiQolj3tGuyLVfQ/s4608/20230108_064719.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9oRsPyXL9Rde539UIxSNKAd4-CNqcRBsZNfO6E79RWXtDliIvSl9hcX3Dmj7mITtmpqvIAts-hu8xSzSXPeYwaLhVAntbMbGdgDhoNC7O332QQajd5Yh4Gh3xe5FTpWqI9x28BMCXdRjPkHBYh-Gb-Ag9RzRCUWboNHnqATwqkIGiQolj3tGuyLVfQ/w400-h300/20230108_064719.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>So I planned a very light third term for Forms 1 and 2 and a semi-light term for Form 3. My high schoolers were bascially able to go back to their full schedule after our couple weeks off together. Even with a rocky postpartum time, we ended our school year on strong footing thanks to <a href="https://www.thecmec.org/" target="_blank">the CMEC</a>, my wonderfully helpful husband, and rails of habit laid down over the past decade.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPt_PDa-lVNvP28JhNjyq590ZbSKOITJa4HayZA3QgHGxLQpvFmmZSdrJKzDlqAcRGLgA6z-GbhW-irFgiEbPe0cS0wZ486iE2On-2PNxCF5sToh-2_35LbzC_6UlfmoDA-YEaxvAUM7VPy7Cw6INAoF8izX961U_mVIMBPRNnScyZUdn8gTFchZmaw/s3103/20230114_112146.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2369" data-original-width="3103" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPt_PDa-lVNvP28JhNjyq590ZbSKOITJa4HayZA3QgHGxLQpvFmmZSdrJKzDlqAcRGLgA6z-GbhW-irFgiEbPe0cS0wZ486iE2On-2PNxCF5sToh-2_35LbzC_6UlfmoDA-YEaxvAUM7VPy7Cw6INAoF8izX961U_mVIMBPRNnScyZUdn8gTFchZmaw/w400-h305/20230114_112146.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidB4mWi57RfLcKg4INei6OnTQ5o-sMCpIXuAZ9IpLg5PWf2EdLbDdygEtNnVtg750R1wTGsVajoB7PN1_GsxH6XysmWCHbsRVID_ImFon0l7wTpm2m3My8Yv9XYxVlBFa7MibTDwonk28bb43bxI5LNYBUaXUiT-PYYGTkqeiM6dv-3aZhg1PrUBdeng/s2008/PXL_20230301_220757217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="1535" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidB4mWi57RfLcKg4INei6OnTQ5o-sMCpIXuAZ9IpLg5PWf2EdLbDdygEtNnVtg750R1wTGsVajoB7PN1_GsxH6XysmWCHbsRVID_ImFon0l7wTpm2m3My8Yv9XYxVlBFa7MibTDwonk28bb43bxI5LNYBUaXUiT-PYYGTkqeiM6dv-3aZhg1PrUBdeng/w306-h400/PXL_20230301_220757217.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><p>That said, I was SUPER relieved to head into summertime! It's so nice to have a break from juggling baby and lessons. Matthew is now five months old -- rolling, babbling, and starting to sleep through the night. And by the time we begin school again in August, he'll be napping more predictably, which will be a huge help!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBepH8OiGSyPixRHaSn6kfbzIly716XplPNDQlvn88FeeSer0n8FEh5d0miLAFNrP-q_Rc5v-X9f7NZ_JJcBivRu-SSpMB-LptvRa2SxvkbWMF3RDNTHxy2j5fQe4-u-dO9dZM4OoFTPWnEuXM08iLaXL9u_1HfIAX5ztZROeUllgFrUZBJto64_ZRA/s3099/20230403_111316.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3099" data-original-width="2963" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBepH8OiGSyPixRHaSn6kfbzIly716XplPNDQlvn88FeeSer0n8FEh5d0miLAFNrP-q_Rc5v-X9f7NZ_JJcBivRu-SSpMB-LptvRa2SxvkbWMF3RDNTHxy2j5fQe4-u-dO9dZM4OoFTPWnEuXM08iLaXL9u_1HfIAX5ztZROeUllgFrUZBJto64_ZRA/s320/20230403_111316.jpg" width="306" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMq9RR7HTFTGtTqCzw4rWF6_rQ1VwJ5f-p5M2WV6PYyUJu9gxYJLBqtt02VdsryT6KmfOTuqoAOUc7NFDlSDA1Ja76iFbXtmBe1zAsDaVzmrT1Z5Ach8C4Lh8QcRxnasuvzEEtQgvJR5RQDqteAslM7K6BV5j6ZRYJiDMgilPl0wP2JMgeYJRWwHcWg/s2941/20230529_130856.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2941" data-original-width="2194" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMq9RR7HTFTGtTqCzw4rWF6_rQ1VwJ5f-p5M2WV6PYyUJu9gxYJLBqtt02VdsryT6KmfOTuqoAOUc7NFDlSDA1Ja76iFbXtmBe1zAsDaVzmrT1Z5Ach8C4Lh8QcRxnasuvzEEtQgvJR5RQDqteAslM7K6BV5j6ZRYJiDMgilPl0wP2JMgeYJRWwHcWg/s320/20230529_130856.jpg" width="239" /></a></div></div><p>On to the recap! It wasn't a perfect year by any means, but at the CMEC, we always like to take stock of signs of definite progress and celebrate our "wins." So I thought I'd share here five things that went really well this past year...</p><p><b></b></p><p><b><b>Studying history collaboratively and comparatively.</b></b></p><p></p><p>This year we studied roughly 1780-1900 (for all Forms) and Ancient Rome (for Form 2A and up). </p><p>First: I love that my students are all studying the same time periods. It makes my mental workload much simpler and I feel like I can really "live" in the eras as a teacher of many grades.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlFPqg5hhooKLiypNtr-k2t1CXdvPtVbyReQv_Q4Hg_11HgRtDNRCuu6SeazXvmeYidqDBhd4g68QhHipfYsGHBnrJ7zFsXVAEtjsjgy0S95sXWYOIQ_O_fLVwVq6070jaNyQBn66R2OdPfthNRcGVSx2bfsc2nr6CDQXzV8R_BLjcl2Dz-aXp8WmcA/s3142/20220815_092404.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2355" data-original-width="3142" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlFPqg5hhooKLiypNtr-k2t1CXdvPtVbyReQv_Q4Hg_11HgRtDNRCuu6SeazXvmeYidqDBhd4g68QhHipfYsGHBnrJ7zFsXVAEtjsjgy0S95sXWYOIQ_O_fLVwVq6070jaNyQBn66R2OdPfthNRcGVSx2bfsc2nr6CDQXzV8R_BLjcl2Dz-aXp8WmcA/w400-h300/20220815_092404.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Second, I'm grateful for fantastic books! American history was fascinating in all the books we read this year -- <i>Builders of Our Country</i>, <i>This Country of Ours</i>, and <i>The Oxford History of the American People</i>. Each one was rich and engaging for the age group it was aimed at. My Form 1 boys were sad for each chapter in <i>Builders </i>to end, and I often heard my high schoolers laugh out loud at Morison's witty, pointed insights. British history was great too: it's hard to beat Arnold-Forster!</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJcUuf6bp_iBjQimMdud8XBIZ95HIxJtC4ayl_jf68nnGzRGLN8PVHX23BBK9166vjgj5AJdkjBi2BO_G8dzOZvyQwd1vvtxaabiVR4RcbYpGR6CYBQZJ42TnxlkfNrpHdqbQfb228VmC8IgzJfodIuw6W26XP4IkAgUM8PLYTsRGejwMMaWdnqzbiA/s4032/20220824_133949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJcUuf6bp_iBjQimMdud8XBIZ95HIxJtC4ayl_jf68nnGzRGLN8PVHX23BBK9166vjgj5AJdkjBi2BO_G8dzOZvyQwd1vvtxaabiVR4RcbYpGR6CYBQZJ42TnxlkfNrpHdqbQfb228VmC8IgzJfodIuw6W26XP4IkAgUM8PLYTsRGejwMMaWdnqzbiA/w400-h300/20220824_133949.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEBB0kij6DlKUMXyt-67RbZx9YZuJloa7b88wUa0jLoJc3foJPit2TUUe_byJqD4CgSMupsCmKXJ114y5zJZfW-lHgepDz-wRxqq5uJI78B5zDjXhYKbTOH6JoTAAGmc1w5rxT3WLqnYdOMRFyFNSPQAftCbRJwIv1mDLiCd_akFCMfk3Kx8ypG_aug/s4032/20220824_134259.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEBB0kij6DlKUMXyt-67RbZx9YZuJloa7b88wUa0jLoJc3foJPit2TUUe_byJqD4CgSMupsCmKXJ114y5zJZfW-lHgepDz-wRxqq5uJI78B5zDjXhYKbTOH6JoTAAGmc1w5rxT3WLqnYdOMRFyFNSPQAftCbRJwIv1mDLiCd_akFCMfk3Kx8ypG_aug/w400-h300/20220824_134259.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>And although it was interesting last year reading about the founding of the American government alongside Ancient Greece, I was surprised to find so many connections this year between the Civil War and Ancient Rome. Comparative history makes for rich studies and lots of good history notebook work.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHW1gNSdU6uyagM9_UpwxO4aMIgkCZG-pwxxM2gxj30E7r4BDvNbdmcuNtpeNJqTFAueDSE2JwXCjaMzh_bM4pEqQa_YRIXT75U3ztCvrhxDDEHJ0e6oGdbwPsD-mcVocE9DZerDw1vTX8gKOh4frEN_2M_KjH4-5ZUnsZuuDgLR3jQodp8Y7NiWhy1A/s4032/20220811_104317.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHW1gNSdU6uyagM9_UpwxO4aMIgkCZG-pwxxM2gxj30E7r4BDvNbdmcuNtpeNJqTFAueDSE2JwXCjaMzh_bM4pEqQa_YRIXT75U3ztCvrhxDDEHJ0e6oGdbwPsD-mcVocE9DZerDw1vTX8gKOh4frEN_2M_KjH4-5ZUnsZuuDgLR3jQodp8Y7NiWhy1A/w400-h300/20220811_104317.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGk3B3JZeo1O5H3qgX8MatAsG1bJIVASa8EMyPLuu8Srd0KJnotD5rA1htrPkhnUOuaBBTSZ4URdmd7z2Z9q-wKL0vw-ObsZOVK9FJkgTkSqtK-CnDFuKIUPPdtTHjCiRB0A470M0jrN6Q0dTCvb5Ju12AV4lX9Y6t1733hZzrRLGEbdVT-jIqiy-OQ/s4032/20220630_184958.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGk3B3JZeo1O5H3qgX8MatAsG1bJIVASa8EMyPLuu8Srd0KJnotD5rA1htrPkhnUOuaBBTSZ4URdmd7z2Z9q-wKL0vw-ObsZOVK9FJkgTkSqtK-CnDFuKIUPPdtTHjCiRB0A470M0jrN6Q0dTCvb5Ju12AV4lX9Y6t1733hZzrRLGEbdVT-jIqiy-OQ/w300-h400/20220630_184958.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p><b>Using the high schoolers' literature as my own leisure reading.</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;">I have talked so much here about pre-reading as schole and teaching with the posture of a student that it is likely cliche! But pregnancy/postpartum meant limited prep time for me this year, and the only leisure reading I really did was my kids' books (plus some Agatha Christie over Christmas break!). Particular favorites for me were <i>Uncle Tom's Cabin</i>, <i>Silas Marner</i>, <i>A Tale of Two Cities</i>, <i>Oedipus </i>and <i>Antigone</i>, <i>Sesame and Lilies</i>, and the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins. </p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-wV971OETmV3qs5Q7Gn54Spv3J4fJCaOHvLfBk5ZjSQNobHa-LYXfvKGsH1ovCvz4WcQFKHYWo5llST8oB6j0ZEd--H1yBED1bciiRUb5NzczVHyX1Xd6NftvV3jBjzc0uzj0CfjSv_k7-CbfeMl8SbvpPWCrRcVCh7qY90qXI0IWF-eay7U-YdZTQ/s3226/20220529_114509.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2536" data-original-width="3226" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-wV971OETmV3qs5Q7Gn54Spv3J4fJCaOHvLfBk5ZjSQNobHa-LYXfvKGsH1ovCvz4WcQFKHYWo5llST8oB6j0ZEd--H1yBED1bciiRUb5NzczVHyX1Xd6NftvV3jBjzc0uzj0CfjSv_k7-CbfeMl8SbvpPWCrRcVCh7qY90qXI0IWF-eay7U-YdZTQ/w400-h315/20220529_114509.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>I am grateful my teacher prep can also be so enriching.</p><p><b>Participating in our Charlotte Mason-style co-op.</b></p><p>Last year was our first year with an academic co-op and not just a nature study club. (You can read about our <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2021/11/learning-in-community-fall-2021.html" target="_blank">fall term</a> and <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2022/07/this-and-that-summers-end.html" target="_blank">spring term</a>.) We continued with the same families this year and the CMEC as our guide, but took it indoors this year -- my friend hosted us in her home. Just like last year, we took up a different set of subjects each term and swapped teaching duties. Our spring term also looked quite different because instead of meeting every other week, we met for seven weeks in a row (with a couple weeks off in the middle for Easter). This allowed us to start a bit later (I was on a postpartum break) but still end on time and still meet for six meetings plus our end-of-term celebration. It has been so nice to take up different parts of the "feast" together.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6gqf2hZbT-9GUrT3pLApNU868wy9YSWiWEW78E8XEidNG_Hbimr9elwN_Rn3zV5Vnr8TywnCRulU_db3YlaFYFzuf3GR5BUOVpM6C57w_TwmtQxpxLx-Fz-2eyiUKt9gNZjbbVPvueh2mVEwvJrrLJmIsQTsk2yqkGuv1TBsl_GsKXKGpwQJqmNbZA/s4032/IMG_0842.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6gqf2hZbT-9GUrT3pLApNU868wy9YSWiWEW78E8XEidNG_Hbimr9elwN_Rn3zV5Vnr8TywnCRulU_db3YlaFYFzuf3GR5BUOVpM6C57w_TwmtQxpxLx-Fz-2eyiUKt9gNZjbbVPvueh2mVEwvJrrLJmIsQTsk2yqkGuv1TBsl_GsKXKGpwQJqmNbZA/w400-h300/IMG_0842.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdv7XEE0iMH_Z0zf1jTi-0N-vTch8zKCNfG3LEekrGXjeUPAYue4FlPM8JbU6p6ydDekodPUCWUbuUSJJ88uKmDxRAZ-ggGXVSRtFTCBklky8QhC-BzsLLi6SzJtuHiRHZ1FFznucp0YXKR3XoZecC1mxKiE9shSsBL3QtGN9MuiEpr_C4TZUi11gTGg/s4032/20230505_095227.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdv7XEE0iMH_Z0zf1jTi-0N-vTch8zKCNfG3LEekrGXjeUPAYue4FlPM8JbU6p6ydDekodPUCWUbuUSJJ88uKmDxRAZ-ggGXVSRtFTCBklky8QhC-BzsLLi6SzJtuHiRHZ1FFznucp0YXKR3XoZecC1mxKiE9shSsBL3QtGN9MuiEpr_C4TZUi11gTGg/w400-h225/20230505_095227.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>It was a lovely year together. So many subjects: Plutarch, heraldry, choir, <i>The Trumpet of the Swan</i>, music theory, hymns and folksongs, recitation, architecture, folk dancing, singing games, chalk drawing, solfege, drill, brush drawing, and more! In the fall, we included a moms' time to meet and discuss a <i>Parents' Review </i>article while the kids played, which was really nice as well. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_AHkFYoqGIFdENVS3Tpv2Nq_rqrX-s7pj-lWwLDGGzCvsPXB7ir7vmWU96dsRdgMIHbBWFEs9e61c6To3neAi7BM2WB-nSmTe4WV3OVsUoOgYR99JLV62Vm5eCVNTecN6-A-nVxphIYPBbqh-5IR19c2PcuBVY7LNh0XJsDNe6uCOyIBl4hPNWGa9w/s3742/20230310_103156.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2738" data-original-width="3742" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_AHkFYoqGIFdENVS3Tpv2Nq_rqrX-s7pj-lWwLDGGzCvsPXB7ir7vmWU96dsRdgMIHbBWFEs9e61c6To3neAi7BM2WB-nSmTe4WV3OVsUoOgYR99JLV62Vm5eCVNTecN6-A-nVxphIYPBbqh-5IR19c2PcuBVY7LNh0XJsDNe6uCOyIBl4hPNWGa9w/w400-h293/20230310_103156.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeuu0KnCnUiHB8K_0m9YsIv25Cgj48v7WnA6FMtpK_cLG1m4-Pu98xYOiRSbYv6wCV91oKZa_M4nkze45ac6UFzYFZED1iePeqcwRJISnG6ooJ6jbzfzeVKBlq_6GQFVv2p1xJP93Vt157LePNiRmRcNo_onnawOstkNRw_xqqQALDXozb2JPz7c94Q/s4032/20230505_094110.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeuu0KnCnUiHB8K_0m9YsIv25Cgj48v7WnA6FMtpK_cLG1m4-Pu98xYOiRSbYv6wCV91oKZa_M4nkze45ac6UFzYFZED1iePeqcwRJISnG6ooJ6jbzfzeVKBlq_6GQFVv2p1xJP93Vt157LePNiRmRcNo_onnawOstkNRw_xqqQALDXozb2JPz7c94Q/w400-h300/20230505_094110.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fYMzZ4xbOqrlAJtZif478MuCIqaBz52BPzX6PynLtwrFRtZ0K6cBMwsIzyZXPUa4Wff5vAO57zvSfQlB2uk5lEkODBc-NjhmREJ2uq4OjaNEruotA5Akv-n3q4G3dr0zG2w9yc_9xCDpd5JwSLwp0Jbe4J6XuKi89jfREOGTyGLmzIGuurb7C39rug/s3531/20230505_100630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2748" data-original-width="3531" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fYMzZ4xbOqrlAJtZif478MuCIqaBz52BPzX6PynLtwrFRtZ0K6cBMwsIzyZXPUa4Wff5vAO57zvSfQlB2uk5lEkODBc-NjhmREJ2uq4OjaNEruotA5Akv-n3q4G3dr0zG2w9yc_9xCDpd5JwSLwp0Jbe4J6XuKi89jfREOGTyGLmzIGuurb7C39rug/w400-h311/20230505_100630.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I love teaching the kids -- I think all of us do! And I am grateful to have found committed, kind, and thoughtful moms to partner with. They have become dear friends.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFngys0nMaPZ3x3u4AJmSNYtopvnYDdlxQWM__8QlE8aO8GZOQxBlUVLobYAm71tWWekqoSX_F5AI_EWaMvvMxqK5gMAnYeffw5Nm5d6OD-65Z9Hx2Ahu5sKUEh1yBy4v5EyZH00Sb7MN7M1XKDqkeA9rlcEtaVfGGY4m56gZpFqRoAS0ClyMji8D93Q/s4032/IMG_9828.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFngys0nMaPZ3x3u4AJmSNYtopvnYDdlxQWM__8QlE8aO8GZOQxBlUVLobYAm71tWWekqoSX_F5AI_EWaMvvMxqK5gMAnYeffw5Nm5d6OD-65Z9Hx2Ahu5sKUEh1yBy4v5EyZH00Sb7MN7M1XKDqkeA9rlcEtaVfGGY4m56gZpFqRoAS0ClyMji8D93Q/w400-h300/IMG_9828.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrAFtGaO2Zcdr6ax6um_Sc0zdOfQlfaKhh2ihmFk6GvVZKi98kXj72TLdAZJoePXnbyxrvkB1eQgkDoF8lljmjaxpJXV_r6EZYl6TKOGswMOy5x4y-XCjgtsKiV0DkHnvOTzB48hic5GZWYYjm2cK8RZkLPInDdZc7Xi4XN1ybSc1MKhAik01t1eSjg/s4032/IMG_9830.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrAFtGaO2Zcdr6ax6um_Sc0zdOfQlfaKhh2ihmFk6GvVZKi98kXj72TLdAZJoePXnbyxrvkB1eQgkDoF8lljmjaxpJXV_r6EZYl6TKOGswMOy5x4y-XCjgtsKiV0DkHnvOTzB48hic5GZWYYjm2cK8RZkLPInDdZc7Xi4XN1ybSc1MKhAik01t1eSjg/w400-h300/IMG_9830.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyjrxfY3-BqCYyCJN-lvznMG1q7S311uXAzcbe8CT2jKCKb428Z7HEm499p1r78wZrfYFxC_VdGnxuQDTn4OFpAdIdjylvuTJtxgSNKFB8M5X6jhYtSmW58KSNH8_kcNIo9Hu31Gcv3NOUaXxfgdNxd-d5ZuarvcmWHhtUAWl4OsIP-7waajdnCodgQ/s4032/IMG_4717.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyjrxfY3-BqCYyCJN-lvznMG1q7S311uXAzcbe8CT2jKCKb428Z7HEm499p1r78wZrfYFxC_VdGnxuQDTn4OFpAdIdjylvuTJtxgSNKFB8M5X6jhYtSmW58KSNH8_kcNIo9Hu31Gcv3NOUaXxfgdNxd-d5ZuarvcmWHhtUAWl4OsIP-7waajdnCodgQ/w300-h400/IMG_4717.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Outsourcing subjects to my older kids.</b></div><p>Isn't it wonderful when your children surpass you in skills?! My high school daughter's Italian is now much better than mine, and my middle school daughter is excellent at needlework, so I paid them this year to teach their younger siblings.</p><p>For Italian: It was time to break up my Form 1-3 students into two groups for Italian. Last year, I taught everyone together twice a week and then taught the Form 3 students an additional weekly block or two for Italian dictation, copywork, and grammar. This year, Gianna offered to teach the older three kids and I taught the younger three students. Lessons went much more smoothly (smaller groups, everyone working at an appropriate level) and teaching just the littles was really enjoyable for me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjc8x7Ds6z6ymur5IUlkVe88QXam48jJZqBy461UHAm3GwI11dcXDXtkcuGIgjz6W7sXQQF_uO_h53XOjEk9-uQU6ZXu6uYtUg3nGlaN_jNBi4WWVwoyzjgAJEat2IONpurccZBN0XaBaxsJF9y951wB-9iYXfc9ztGsAh_t6A3SrIkVjU5R14vNNzRg/s4032/20220824_091208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjc8x7Ds6z6ymur5IUlkVe88QXam48jJZqBy461UHAm3GwI11dcXDXtkcuGIgjz6W7sXQQF_uO_h53XOjEk9-uQU6ZXu6uYtUg3nGlaN_jNBi4WWVwoyzjgAJEat2IONpurccZBN0XaBaxsJF9y951wB-9iYXfc9ztGsAh_t6A3SrIkVjU5R14vNNzRg/w400-h300/20220824_091208.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_aEQygNhgNuxmDgRQuNg0z6qU1OeFVNA8JPBuRnaS_igVk7nkJEAzQPeB1hhIBgIBtI8PRD1uLxlH5V5ZngOqbk4gcqkNqEkdjsWVQLsBqHhA_qOLvLTsl10Srl9OENVR0tt1gG6LuUNutAQ7_eL8PRdi0wzivVryfTscO0Tz5d9ZWJh2ZRROkYrWw/s4032/20220804_132144.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_aEQygNhgNuxmDgRQuNg0z6qU1OeFVNA8JPBuRnaS_igVk7nkJEAzQPeB1hhIBgIBtI8PRD1uLxlH5V5ZngOqbk4gcqkNqEkdjsWVQLsBqHhA_qOLvLTsl10Srl9OENVR0tt1gG6LuUNutAQ7_eL8PRdi0wzivVryfTscO0Tz5d9ZWJh2ZRROkYrWw/w400-h300/20220804_132144.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>For handicrafts: Catherine used the CMEC's needlecraft course over the year to help her younger siblings learn new stitches and complete a variety of projects. In addition to teaching the 30-minute weekly block on the schedule, she was responsible for letting me know what supplies were needed, assigning each student "homework" to work on over the week, and helping them with that homework as needed. This set up worked so well that she is continuing with the three younger boys (ages 8, 7, and 5) over the summer.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXo9eo5ezJtIZ6US48jwI7vecs5n2lft4QxCmiNpKUbDRHGV-8GJjwgLtXNqZI8A6Gv_arrP-6Q9QhAIc73WTTZ-VBg1JrGfGylmbMfxLQJjFIFjAjf2_ZWHhD7Hnbiny6gOApf7rM9z_3aMh_nOfpIsO8SyiTNxNXN1EJBuz3rGYbMk9Zbn4Ikl9tMA/s3338/20221221_134826.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3338" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXo9eo5ezJtIZ6US48jwI7vecs5n2lft4QxCmiNpKUbDRHGV-8GJjwgLtXNqZI8A6Gv_arrP-6Q9QhAIc73WTTZ-VBg1JrGfGylmbMfxLQJjFIFjAjf2_ZWHhD7Hnbiny6gOApf7rM9z_3aMh_nOfpIsO8SyiTNxNXN1EJBuz3rGYbMk9Zbn4Ikl9tMA/w400-h294/20221221_134826.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2k8y8WCy5-oivKcpgNjF8r60dXB19mP-AkaeISZfz4e0ekpB2bedSm6yqGpEcbLOigFEqGt52BqYZUG-lIbi8-SAKLuh3cLMqLJomeof1X3J2DmToRTuHoQpEjMiwhBW5E96ibQauc4RoDICVDMIESt_aOSX1zStTh3fasM_9p7esJ5OFs4MfB3WPPw/s4032/20230409_121203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2k8y8WCy5-oivKcpgNjF8r60dXB19mP-AkaeISZfz4e0ekpB2bedSm6yqGpEcbLOigFEqGt52BqYZUG-lIbi8-SAKLuh3cLMqLJomeof1X3J2DmToRTuHoQpEjMiwhBW5E96ibQauc4RoDICVDMIESt_aOSX1zStTh3fasM_9p7esJ5OFs4MfB3WPPw/w400-h300/20230409_121203.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXidfXRtuLRZrJ9q4g-Cfnh-n9cCiKhxRJMdA-7X4t69A_TeAD8UX6LMshYcyegDXeTrHPBNUhiqfc1vSoR5DbOFeXH_Wvh08sHpY7it8aanxRBXuPSQg3PIAniX2IDg6d-TpkTqnVykr_5SGZSspXco8fFgLgoetAYhsRfBWAo_WOdpI87mpGPMWUg/s4032/20230409_121213.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXidfXRtuLRZrJ9q4g-Cfnh-n9cCiKhxRJMdA-7X4t69A_TeAD8UX6LMshYcyegDXeTrHPBNUhiqfc1vSoR5DbOFeXH_Wvh08sHpY7it8aanxRBXuPSQg3PIAniX2IDg6d-TpkTqnVykr_5SGZSspXco8fFgLgoetAYhsRfBWAo_WOdpI87mpGPMWUg/w400-h300/20230409_121213.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEika0VcqAWlQp_Yy57A_EZwiakyX-WxWfyFnqHVJJI3iwv7c5Cd6KMOh6C5wByANmJsEyA_-SjZEkDd5FVXTvAirYaJR_dK3EkcqKU2OgMN9ePOqg7R-tawjgJftpTAH5hbm_8qEnmN-QngqWBzwClyf70ac0hNK6rknV086VvrCaZ7qtaATNzMnRw3Sw/w400-h300/20230409_121402.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR8Os1WJvffooTpV9mQbImYvZbhBkuru_WMnDLiuwVge810p1hpKQVgE0VGAHWu8FjOqKjfI6yi1Ngz2CEV5FzNKGwnRd4WzLIqgg3YOehDGE-DkKdwPW9dCizNGXMuPmOGC8ojgaC9SXUjUBRyFkIw5GFX_sIQV44mXzq_ieRlUN6_z3tYm7N9kN6g/s4032/20230409_121440.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR8Os1WJvffooTpV9mQbImYvZbhBkuru_WMnDLiuwVge810p1hpKQVgE0VGAHWu8FjOqKjfI6yi1Ngz2CEV5FzNKGwnRd4WzLIqgg3YOehDGE-DkKdwPW9dCizNGXMuPmOGC8ojgaC9SXUjUBRyFkIw5GFX_sIQV44mXzq_ieRlUN6_z3tYm7N9kN6g/w400-h300/20230409_121440.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2807" data-original-width="3711" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzCn40QDsxrH_VFq7CwNF19RrErYa-4CPo6RztRAemvV2DCkJuO5jjU_aBKOMBksxFdfko7JvToPBQBJKPr2mpD01rUK6JxVrblHWcUrFBbskFhNp0iDkP9Q7x-IenuuvrZ0fPhkaShN27OdR6M0iYdONMtANWVnDtZwEwhD3P7geawhQ1xnukXfjvg/w400-h303/20230410_134340.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gGR-h8R8BMVfXrNf1fFJjFlUEo_SbSJdw8KbkHnFrdjGcELyYnIUsGUmc3jmQzWawmm19fnMLFHuUDcpSuSNxh7zTiZcut9Lyqy6T9UQ-Mk5ExiS0DMfnHkn08oXlky-X1-vTARvqSjjpeB-uuTk12_OihdYucOeM43Fm561rFVV8yyy0E6IREKesw/s4031/20230531_100550.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2553" data-original-width="4031" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gGR-h8R8BMVfXrNf1fFJjFlUEo_SbSJdw8KbkHnFrdjGcELyYnIUsGUmc3jmQzWawmm19fnMLFHuUDcpSuSNxh7zTiZcut9Lyqy6T9UQ-Mk5ExiS0DMfnHkn08oXlky-X1-vTARvqSjjpeB-uuTk12_OihdYucOeM43Fm561rFVV8yyy0E6IREKesw/w400-h254/20230531_100550.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdd03D_49RfmtFdAy1yK-6xr5_nUJXOVsD_PraU7fKMi_jhddMTsKSqZxdfJ4w3pH0uLR041EHArQfC7zeGJnIs9yAj0pvUPSH6-vRuBrTW0rTnNz_-k_KXKQZbiI-t54T0xKt51h4lfyDStrSiYh57xj_w4eBJnuBJ3nuQFbDQ87vHchcQPBGDjGMYQ/s3621/20230531_100609.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2870" data-original-width="3621" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdd03D_49RfmtFdAy1yK-6xr5_nUJXOVsD_PraU7fKMi_jhddMTsKSqZxdfJ4w3pH0uLR041EHArQfC7zeGJnIs9yAj0pvUPSH6-vRuBrTW0rTnNz_-k_KXKQZbiI-t54T0xKt51h4lfyDStrSiYh57xj_w4eBJnuBJ3nuQFbDQ87vHchcQPBGDjGMYQ/w400-h318/20230531_100609.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><p>We are planning to continue this arrangement next year too -- I am trying to take advantage of the help before Gianna graduates and I lose one of my "team teachers." :)</p><p><b>Preparing postpartum timetables for an easier transition.</b></p><p>This one was on the advice of a dear friend. I had thought I might just play it by ear after the baby arrived, taking it as easy as needed and eventually scaling up to our regular timetable bit by bit. A friend who knows me better than I know myself (ha!) convinced me that putting the time in before baby arrived to create a super-light timetable for our postpartum term would lead to smoother days and a more restful term. And it would give me an excuse to truly take it easy and not try to get back to regular lessons just so we could have a plan to follow.</p><p>I actually made two light timetables: one that was really bare bones (basically just readings and Common Subjects), and one that added back in math and a couple other subjects as well. </p><p>We ended up taking two weeks fully off before starting Term 3, then following our bare-bones timetable for six weeks and our other light timetable for the last few weeks of the term. I had planned to get back to our full schedule by the end of the year, but that didn't happen -- I needed more time to recover. And I was completely fine with that, since I had a great plan for the family that made sure we still sampled a wide feast.</p><p>So that's some wins from our year! A few more photos from our 22-23 studies to wrap up...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsKP0aJKv0pkZ7WqdSLqm1XSWVVGYm7QFbLEYIhm5KY4XMZvH7A-ozl_28HyGwxXuyDIijSFTgHIyE0QBbMQNMQ16hfQcevlPjSGfndE9qVqAlDKBQycSsAnujTrQz3-hllm7rzlS11KfREM0Hq_46wiqyvXt63jsTr19H9QwmF9UvY2tiWkizig6eg/s4032/20230503_164002.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsKP0aJKv0pkZ7WqdSLqm1XSWVVGYm7QFbLEYIhm5KY4XMZvH7A-ozl_28HyGwxXuyDIijSFTgHIyE0QBbMQNMQ16hfQcevlPjSGfndE9qVqAlDKBQycSsAnujTrQz3-hllm7rzlS11KfREM0Hq_46wiqyvXt63jsTr19H9QwmF9UvY2tiWkizig6eg/w300-h400/20230503_164002.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">final Plutarch project for co-op</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-NqKgWx1GpFGEnNVowekPq_tfv557cMF1N70kPNvdwkHw8CdOWasmvpJJlWM5WMAm4J90dmICy-57pL9pKz_CTSMQJjtE-ZSd5uYwpY_QpTQruSNeBzdPqQdP1HHGER298P_D278E0Jkqg2GG87CBzkFnczMrF2su7SZ3OvYllEhoXv45n3MYeW9hQ/s4032/20221201_132530.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-NqKgWx1GpFGEnNVowekPq_tfv557cMF1N70kPNvdwkHw8CdOWasmvpJJlWM5WMAm4J90dmICy-57pL9pKz_CTSMQJjtE-ZSd5uYwpY_QpTQruSNeBzdPqQdP1HHGER298P_D278E0Jkqg2GG87CBzkFnczMrF2su7SZ3OvYllEhoXv45n3MYeW9hQ/w400-h300/20221201_132530.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">clay work from model</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPLV50dK48GVF9pSvuMGwDAENVrXPNAm6xRgQ0g1qu-Ln21GxKc0MJymhhj2kRoCK2sX2-NnrYQkNJfn0glaD-xrQgZ-fz8tCGW5hRCuJ8x9EsYpCwNFlJoPbAFOSOVz7ZF__LEBwTe9wfVtz5jT-Rrp3iNlV8cqmGY1yu-Q8dj92_mfSvSLMSHoBeA/s3769/20221129_122346.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3769" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPLV50dK48GVF9pSvuMGwDAENVrXPNAm6xRgQ0g1qu-Ln21GxKc0MJymhhj2kRoCK2sX2-NnrYQkNJfn0glaD-xrQgZ-fz8tCGW5hRCuJ8x9EsYpCwNFlJoPbAFOSOVz7ZF__LEBwTe9wfVtz5jT-Rrp3iNlV8cqmGY1yu-Q8dj92_mfSvSLMSHoBeA/w321-h400/20221129_122346.jpg" width="321" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sweet Burgess narration</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7O_rpveKo0FfEsciREPDnJknh33RjuzBaeP0Y_kLabMZSDqikjD-feJYBY4-EHqB6Alt7NBxNm8UFsjNeN16DdfMVNp1TQSi-_oOvrVPUdH6eBWuFrktBGRA4hZqkZRKlqd0RapfDkFICgRw0N4f7K91Mx8Djzx6vhhfyzr45JnaGEtMBvM0IpTeJQ/s4032/20221117_124401.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7O_rpveKo0FfEsciREPDnJknh33RjuzBaeP0Y_kLabMZSDqikjD-feJYBY4-EHqB6Alt7NBxNm8UFsjNeN16DdfMVNp1TQSi-_oOvrVPUdH6eBWuFrktBGRA4hZqkZRKlqd0RapfDkFICgRw0N4f7K91Mx8Djzx6vhhfyzr45JnaGEtMBvM0IpTeJQ/w300-h400/20221117_124401.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we loved studying Millais!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheboyKUlxl1eq75tsxYdCcn9bs-H7sxBtSDGnhrVb6VhLQlZynf4VzDHzpqmoo6NXWlhOGKDEpxO7ww-YoACT0crnNngiIdFGxYw3d7x7Mn13-dXlwFROX14NsdXg2jwVnG4YQkDBXQhR1vn3LT-OIUH_SoBdetfLE59uNafkLqgEUg732YTcoN1SUoQ/s4032/20220928_095912.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheboyKUlxl1eq75tsxYdCcn9bs-H7sxBtSDGnhrVb6VhLQlZynf4VzDHzpqmoo6NXWlhOGKDEpxO7ww-YoACT0crnNngiIdFGxYw3d7x7Mn13-dXlwFROX14NsdXg2jwVnG4YQkDBXQhR1vn3LT-OIUH_SoBdetfLE59uNafkLqgEUg732YTcoN1SUoQ/w400-h300/20220928_095912.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">geography with Form 1</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRONudncqLepzIeZYBkcD-UUIEQFmcpYwEVvDz5pTSBFKMm1jDRX7M30jedY3gVNY_27Xnpl4XuE31cm8_08qMnnLaUg6RukL_N1qTHy2w1oBf4uF_ojIgR8PJY9NT4eEfxq25RL0EDC3P6tgdaMjd1VnN9j49X2-il-kBOiaZD4zXmBHO2lZcYwLDQ/s4032/20220928_135851.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRONudncqLepzIeZYBkcD-UUIEQFmcpYwEVvDz5pTSBFKMm1jDRX7M30jedY3gVNY_27Xnpl4XuE31cm8_08qMnnLaUg6RukL_N1qTHy2w1oBf4uF_ojIgR8PJY9NT4eEfxq25RL0EDC3P6tgdaMjd1VnN9j49X2-il-kBOiaZD4zXmBHO2lZcYwLDQ/w400-h300/20220928_135851.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grammar review with Form 2 and 3 kids</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35KFl_1ArUIU2jCxSjydyFl7hDfiWpe_ECe5YB0BlxS5lfFP86VJqj6eFPptmIOfKRHn3hESFJApGep73Lp2Ocjv7SDq2XJSGCaDI3ZH8wWVRsVy496Krgu3EkwtZnCHzfEYVcc3FxvkKb4-qOm0OvgcvptxIE5eWkPFgqwWZoqAOTUUt8OWKhpY-lQ/s4032/20220824_095732.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35KFl_1ArUIU2jCxSjydyFl7hDfiWpe_ECe5YB0BlxS5lfFP86VJqj6eFPptmIOfKRHn3hESFJApGep73Lp2Ocjv7SDq2XJSGCaDI3ZH8wWVRsVy496Krgu3EkwtZnCHzfEYVcc3FxvkKb4-qOm0OvgcvptxIE5eWkPFgqwWZoqAOTUUt8OWKhpY-lQ/w400-h300/20220824_095732.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Form 1 Buckley notebook work</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lWr2hsngTwsg6m86IqqMZfXXmukniuFHjCqVimrIaQ7tMGw9LVUWrs9crsTaco51QGNhHmMA2bA6JR39SL-v2ALUmFYgzusAZnNlo6E3IveMmR6GPp5BvunyKLJBsuF3NrgINBQqW48ULmIzFWyILbQJ7yMuuV7pRsEJdifcSjcAXSq5-ZbQcdHrUg/s3028/20220804_110916.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3028" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lWr2hsngTwsg6m86IqqMZfXXmukniuFHjCqVimrIaQ7tMGw9LVUWrs9crsTaco51QGNhHmMA2bA6JR39SL-v2ALUmFYgzusAZnNlo6E3IveMmR6GPp5BvunyKLJBsuF3NrgINBQqW48ULmIzFWyILbQJ7yMuuV7pRsEJdifcSjcAXSq5-ZbQcdHrUg/w400-h400/20220804_110916.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Form 2 written narration</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhixnXPuc-AExdBjmo4C5HThgEGoDDKR5rieTr1iQtfs11MzzWqUGdDw0bZKgsf1UE5m5N_rhQL4Pi3fNO0mTrXOMC4mmZWpnD2Se9JIoqPArwWZVryQR4hzZcD3sPdnr1F4V1Rhm5ngk-lvdg7aYgBk1vGM1xK6FIP4Brx0-g-QvwVF6Q5XAcGRaWKQ/s3576/20220805_160111.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2639" data-original-width="3576" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhixnXPuc-AExdBjmo4C5HThgEGoDDKR5rieTr1iQtfs11MzzWqUGdDw0bZKgsf1UE5m5N_rhQL4Pi3fNO0mTrXOMC4mmZWpnD2Se9JIoqPArwWZVryQR4hzZcD3sPdnr1F4V1Rhm5ngk-lvdg7aYgBk1vGM1xK6FIP4Brx0-g-QvwVF6Q5XAcGRaWKQ/w400-h295/20220805_160111.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one week of Weekly Paintings</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>And now -- I'm deep in planning for the fall! I'll be adding a formal student (Damien will be in Form 1B) and will have two seniors, so it promises to be a year full of first, lasts, and excitement!</p><p>So what were the "wins" from your year -- favorite books or subjects, best tips, things you loved about your homeschool?</p></div>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-88934830422276252582022-07-27T06:43:00.001-07:002022-07-27T06:43:11.197-07:00{This and That} :: Summer's End<p>Well, we are in our FINAL week of summer here. This break has flown by -- I have gathered some of the reasons why below! Now we are closing out our long break and putting final touches on our plans for a new year of learning together...</p><p>~~~</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBwz6XPawkfCcIhb2kUmHLwpUyilcuGN5WOmJni2d4ERTD-VtDwA6jfe0_TFHTEmB6lbT9rdOJmwY56cK88oMVqr3gGvF_ELSnxxuA9mwwxNBrnpl9sYT9cX5t8JfR7kOUV5IlO-Iwzsi3izLwYjZ9YVgpdZh3JOCN8tLuLnevSD3Z8pa1fODuKdw4g/s2110/20220601_141825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2110" data-original-width="2110" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBwz6XPawkfCcIhb2kUmHLwpUyilcuGN5WOmJni2d4ERTD-VtDwA6jfe0_TFHTEmB6lbT9rdOJmwY56cK88oMVqr3gGvF_ELSnxxuA9mwwxNBrnpl9sYT9cX5t8JfR7kOUV5IlO-Iwzsi3izLwYjZ9YVgpdZh3JOCN8tLuLnevSD3Z8pa1fODuKdw4g/w400-h400/20220601_141825.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>First, the big news: I shared on Instagram a few weeks ago but don't think I shared here yet. We are so very grateful to be pregnant with another little Cruz! I'm almost at the half-way point and the kids can't wait to find out what gender this little tie-breaker will be. He or she will join us in January, God willing.</p><p></p><p>~~~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXOSbG_ojGydhUnV8-UaKlk9zAhEILpt9RVYHgNjTttcmZHp1Uv8ZcFVoZKNfPIxLM-HaRdbFDOic6mB7pixGOYe5GaaCfudjq8YAAWyel4IGjr8CpxNjMhK-KXtmguEaU6xW2aoJX7Pldbbl_ubBVgsMP7pO5PSbMtdZXqembphVD7v3h95SE1ti7w/s4032/20220712_111600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXOSbG_ojGydhUnV8-UaKlk9zAhEILpt9RVYHgNjTttcmZHp1Uv8ZcFVoZKNfPIxLM-HaRdbFDOic6mB7pixGOYe5GaaCfudjq8YAAWyel4IGjr8CpxNjMhK-KXtmguEaU6xW2aoJX7Pldbbl_ubBVgsMP7pO5PSbMtdZXqembphVD7v3h95SE1ti7w/w400-h300/20220712_111600.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>A highlight of my summer was the week I spent on the East Coast for the <a href="https://www.thecmec.org/CMECRetreats" target="_blank">CMEC Summer Retreat</a>! It was so nice to get back to our large, in-person summer event after several years off for Covid.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRtn-2Vxe1M7-zEx9u7thLik3jhEf-hkdxvqwTW-6TodGB16ipv8deeEVRuYxSj2GiIl3Vx75fYY978dHVvZf2DZCEzztsve_sckJmXl-7AcGhrwL3-laTvKtUKQ0m7iLcuEu22e3y9zmLo4mu09ZTNk0mLQYyNTNd_9S5ZFAYSi7_B1tA_EGyhA7HQ/s4032/20220711_083312.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRtn-2Vxe1M7-zEx9u7thLik3jhEf-hkdxvqwTW-6TodGB16ipv8deeEVRuYxSj2GiIl3Vx75fYY978dHVvZf2DZCEzztsve_sckJmXl-7AcGhrwL3-laTvKtUKQ0m7iLcuEu22e3y9zmLo4mu09ZTNk0mLQYyNTNd_9S5ZFAYSi7_B1tA_EGyhA7HQ/w400-h300/20220711_083312.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>(We hosted smaller, day-long <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2021/08/this-and-that-back-to-school.html" target="_blank">"gatherings"</a> last summer in three cities on the East Coast, and it was wonderful to meet so many mothers that way, but this format of two days of cohesive talks and immersions is really special.)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHw8F7-5ANdxcSAI6idGwx2iv8fl_q9YXCHbZ-TydmaWG72of_7LrQVbLrhwS6YTlMm9v-O2ezqUZWUQLNjBwbhkLRbXjB-8LkngZ9MDF5QLCz5NsyQ-Ss5_dH8kI6iGwbqJha1vdgPcgUMGEuzuSbyzp-VcoZ5VlzT8d1y0g-PC92VZEovxpvWRYWg/s1645/20220712_140243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1255" data-original-width="1645" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHw8F7-5ANdxcSAI6idGwx2iv8fl_q9YXCHbZ-TydmaWG72of_7LrQVbLrhwS6YTlMm9v-O2ezqUZWUQLNjBwbhkLRbXjB-8LkngZ9MDF5QLCz5NsyQ-Ss5_dH8kI6iGwbqJha1vdgPcgUMGEuzuSbyzp-VcoZ5VlzT8d1y0g-PC92VZEovxpvWRYWg/w400-h305/20220712_140243.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The event was absolutely beautiful -- the hosting and planning team did such a stellar job. The theme was "Our Constant Joy: Truth, Beauty, and Goodness in Home and School." I spoke on artist study, composer study, notebooks, and a Christian conception of beauty. Amy spoke on singing, recitation, and more. There was a resource fair, time for narration and discussion, and a fantastic dinner with live music and folk dancing.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjmK_m39LRS5iowbcgQkzC-_2RTTMB5xLEd5r8hpwBKzzv7qbu_NRWKPH3aaaWpupZtu2_xFC-f1nujObdNOf8Rk8V84Kn2ATR1PiEJ5lGP_CGVflHXpD0r1GUypYznbbIcQl3qBSKY5T70QzfUchZBV_ugXZYL1rmRdRuX1hKQvpXC1h0552zx3f-Q/s4032/20220711_161150.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjmK_m39LRS5iowbcgQkzC-_2RTTMB5xLEd5r8hpwBKzzv7qbu_NRWKPH3aaaWpupZtu2_xFC-f1nujObdNOf8Rk8V84Kn2ATR1PiEJ5lGP_CGVflHXpD0r1GUypYznbbIcQl3qBSKY5T70QzfUchZBV_ugXZYL1rmRdRuX1hKQvpXC1h0552zx3f-Q/w400-h300/20220711_161150.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I will admit: preparing for this event took just all my available energy in May and June. That was the peak of my first trimester nausea and fatigue, and there were many times I wondered what I had gotten myself into! (Do you have moments like that? I often do. I'm not sure what that says about me!) But honestly, I think the talks were all the better for my weakness -- grace abounds! And the worst of the symptoms passed in time for the event itself, which was a huge relief. It was so nice to be in the company of 160 like-minded moms and teachers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyu7XhKl_3SsjcqILT6LmuJw6P7ZBUc6PegPeY5LgDtKbIFC1pp0wleJZfn4IC6jptSkx53dc_b1E1zn2X9zX2dtU7tbbem3StYYJqZCz8_Atn--8H2bLnRxpD1GmaVpFP5hAanrybK2Yjg_4FydWhX8RAGvegWYDn51x4p8O79tSxF6V8LpB4sVaZA/s1200/1657500482044_0576053429_77ebc26b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyu7XhKl_3SsjcqILT6LmuJw6P7ZBUc6PegPeY5LgDtKbIFC1pp0wleJZfn4IC6jptSkx53dc_b1E1zn2X9zX2dtU7tbbem3StYYJqZCz8_Atn--8H2bLnRxpD1GmaVpFP5hAanrybK2Yjg_4FydWhX8RAGvegWYDn51x4p8O79tSxF6V8LpB4sVaZA/s320/1657500482044_0576053429_77ebc26b.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>And for the first time ever, I brought one of my children along with me -- my oldest daughter. She helped at the event, including manning some of the tables and holding lots of babies. ;) She also got to meet some longtime penpals.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CjVJh3ZXoLeIl5W3HzR3Ikeakbxvo-JoNSl4_achD4LTzohteM5vYPDFXfgTVecBB3Aut9niKlsSfkA-lneBX1EGqD5Ew3eapbWCISIHh03KrdAxEuFeJONB-a8yzIq0_yP8_fJv3mKX6_JdjOJ7phyvilZsI5ZFRSUZ9TUoqFVeSR6n88CctAeHog/s4032/20220713_125242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CjVJh3ZXoLeIl5W3HzR3Ikeakbxvo-JoNSl4_achD4LTzohteM5vYPDFXfgTVecBB3Aut9niKlsSfkA-lneBX1EGqD5Ew3eapbWCISIHh03KrdAxEuFeJONB-a8yzIq0_yP8_fJv3mKX6_JdjOJ7phyvilZsI5ZFRSUZ9TUoqFVeSR6n88CctAeHog/s320/20220713_125242.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>We also got to do some sight-seeing since it was Gianna's first time on the East Coast, which was a treat for both of us. Amy and her daughter Grace played excellent hostesses -- we were so grateful for the time to be together with our friends.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzuXGnM-ujPUBGNk5lB3ZlG-YcoNp81KjfY51qZNaVhoWE--ryloZv8hSFWfxqg3QGw5uWpm4oN2QUdTVvp0zFMxeT5P-BrbMlMGJePqCJdkaat_q99eEaB3oQOcGsxAOdQ57OzV2HeTMcvfsOl2vS7LK1lB0Im9G2edD425gh7KXrQIXqFplDBxSWA/s800/IMG_8729.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="601" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzuXGnM-ujPUBGNk5lB3ZlG-YcoNp81KjfY51qZNaVhoWE--ryloZv8hSFWfxqg3QGw5uWpm4oN2QUdTVvp0zFMxeT5P-BrbMlMGJePqCJdkaat_q99eEaB3oQOcGsxAOdQ57OzV2HeTMcvfsOl2vS7LK1lB0Im9G2edD425gh7KXrQIXqFplDBxSWA/s320/IMG_8729.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82Tq9gX-w91Xw0X3iMELxPL6lNcf8mrxe8VVhsEDgWlsyBNqPX1i-aiZyVdsPu7MHuFWhvj8CdQb2Koks-xrpgJ_tTcqOPgyfW9mm0aai7zPx84zYqnllxey7YmWCUNmETsgUXk2E8vOzEMO57k79dX2nmZxIIuWmRumReawlRgGN6d8lbNouw-NQ1w/s1117/1657500482052_0882346474_77ebc26b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="827" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82Tq9gX-w91Xw0X3iMELxPL6lNcf8mrxe8VVhsEDgWlsyBNqPX1i-aiZyVdsPu7MHuFWhvj8CdQb2Koks-xrpgJ_tTcqOPgyfW9mm0aai7zPx84zYqnllxey7YmWCUNmETsgUXk2E8vOzEMO57k79dX2nmZxIIuWmRumReawlRgGN6d8lbNouw-NQ1w/s320/1657500482052_0882346474_77ebc26b.jpg" width="237" /></a></div></div><p>~~~</p><p>Thinking back to last year: a reader recently asked how our co-op went this past spring. I posted about our <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2021/11/learning-in-community-fall-2021.html" target="_blank">fall plans</a> but didn't have the chance to come back and give an update.</p><p>Some subjects stayed the same and some changed. A peek at our timetable:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSJ09S_DUXMYBP1DmSOLeUOmLy7dLsjRYW0T1PkKPXYtuALp83w98IbPgU4p2J94m0-SaJEIUa2yi-iLqBrKnnpySzHBVlsi1VqMaJuTpvnB2cdwNxabCDCR1pcEmy3gYGXusEbtqXq_C3ZVaKEXF2Hr-9vAybeJ7BpHu8tHnGroQdibA1OLWDyePAGw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSJ09S_DUXMYBP1DmSOLeUOmLy7dLsjRYW0T1PkKPXYtuALp83w98IbPgU4p2J94m0-SaJEIUa2yi-iLqBrKnnpySzHBVlsi1VqMaJuTpvnB2cdwNxabCDCR1pcEmy3gYGXusEbtqXq_C3ZVaKEXF2Hr-9vAybeJ7BpHu8tHnGroQdibA1OLWDyePAGw=w284-h320" width="284" /></a></div><br />And some photos from our end-of-term celebration together:<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_Nc3P_Ctts8Vh_cu-pCuxT7mJUCrQchmC7ZJ5Hgn2xv3RF8CMdkPtcjj14Kxk3aIjNb1YmRKH9OfWamNACVzSCDE67JV875AAqkHcOJHmnxZIJWDyFJ6J8MhxTaTUCCMrWq2leNLESyMU9rFUUKzU-8hd4mvKKnsidcdpOte-dIaxj2I1rFvbodYzw/s3282/20220401_101258.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2712" data-original-width="3282" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_Nc3P_Ctts8Vh_cu-pCuxT7mJUCrQchmC7ZJ5Hgn2xv3RF8CMdkPtcjj14Kxk3aIjNb1YmRKH9OfWamNACVzSCDE67JV875AAqkHcOJHmnxZIJWDyFJ6J8MhxTaTUCCMrWq2leNLESyMU9rFUUKzU-8hd4mvKKnsidcdpOte-dIaxj2I1rFvbodYzw/w400-h330/20220401_101258.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFNaR3_SxUM-GQx_aLULUT4PMXqo9aubywgaJbAO18g4z_74cMv1yiSnCRLSAv8F6DcClolA-0yY1vt_Q9NNXvAb5-nflfjvtKdltDUDBCSKY4lof_9N8meUrMnGGOrXFv3GzgQFKm_4OqK9mF6DXsVoAsk2KVwk9ACtFdM5K1tJVX5wWXl8OkHMEGg/s3348/20220401_100821.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2699" data-original-width="3348" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFNaR3_SxUM-GQx_aLULUT4PMXqo9aubywgaJbAO18g4z_74cMv1yiSnCRLSAv8F6DcClolA-0yY1vt_Q9NNXvAb5-nflfjvtKdltDUDBCSKY4lof_9N8meUrMnGGOrXFv3GzgQFKm_4OqK9mF6DXsVoAsk2KVwk9ACtFdM5K1tJVX5wWXl8OkHMEGg/w400-h323/20220401_100821.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3jnIO9MVAezwz91IVM56zyXJ38blbFyWwjgF60w03pyThJCi0OwtXXk3WuPyqt3oxd2yKbTAuajhxeys5oqiBkqjv9HBIL67G5ZI9YWpU9UgsvHGx8gc9akAFCb3V7i5NLIR-mqBiNVOqsHL0Vb_P-iWPju34Vs7Ls4-BVAuicunBRb8mLx3l4kguA/s3687/20220401_094549.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2765" data-original-width="3687" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3jnIO9MVAezwz91IVM56zyXJ38blbFyWwjgF60w03pyThJCi0OwtXXk3WuPyqt3oxd2yKbTAuajhxeys5oqiBkqjv9HBIL67G5ZI9YWpU9UgsvHGx8gc9akAFCb3V7i5NLIR-mqBiNVOqsHL0Vb_P-iWPju34Vs7Ls4-BVAuicunBRb8mLx3l4kguA/w400-h300/20220401_094549.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2U6UFJaCq-INIlSUi6FaPjGUH0cPV7j3APdOTMmg5U2kThgTGJlTXLqwRE_mhPZZja44piaNdVHxgRcQA5EjWu66wEI4xltnmhLuou9AbBDPzNeYFjJWUqHGNcBHEcPLLkhVaihLbAlSneOv14nix9AC_sR20Bzpz66P4PTGNnS-wNkM0vRRU_OmxVQ/s3307/20220401_091153.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2361" data-original-width="3307" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2U6UFJaCq-INIlSUi6FaPjGUH0cPV7j3APdOTMmg5U2kThgTGJlTXLqwRE_mhPZZja44piaNdVHxgRcQA5EjWu66wEI4xltnmhLuou9AbBDPzNeYFjJWUqHGNcBHEcPLLkhVaihLbAlSneOv14nix9AC_sR20Bzpz66P4PTGNnS-wNkM0vRRU_OmxVQ/w400-h285/20220401_091153.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>We did recitations, a Shakespeare performance, folk dancing and singing games together, and a show-and-tell of paintings based on the Form 1 students' historical picture books reading (based on the CMEC programs). And celebrated with lunch together!</p><p>We are getting ready to start up again for the fall in just a few weeks. This term, we'll be taking our co-op indoors and switching up subjects again to take advantage of the space we'll be using. More on that later in the year!</p><p>~~~</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzuSLC-y42HTaSXy0QEKCazqbKGZExe2MQ4ZF_E11wrsOl2Q3sFgZ_LeL8dTvqFbcUXSoaa1DB2khyymCNXJmlr6TVjvQwEPMww4VMR_81Y6ctjW0U5jBAbmma9pkNCtSLFGOw09ztiuVAmoqQA7M_C8v-QDZlFnCK-bfS08PiR5wsbFDkr7UKM0b1g/s3329/20220610_144558.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2755" data-original-width="3329" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzuSLC-y42HTaSXy0QEKCazqbKGZExe2MQ4ZF_E11wrsOl2Q3sFgZ_LeL8dTvqFbcUXSoaa1DB2khyymCNXJmlr6TVjvQwEPMww4VMR_81Y6ctjW0U5jBAbmma9pkNCtSLFGOw09ztiuVAmoqQA7M_C8v-QDZlFnCK-bfS08PiR5wsbFDkr7UKM0b1g/w400-h331/20220610_144558.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>At the Summer Retreat, I mentioned that I print mini stickers of our artist study selections for my students to add to their TBG Notebooks after we have finished each one. I got lots of attendees asking for the details! </p><p></p><p>So here's how I create them: I grab the images from online for the paintings, paste them into a Word doc, and print as many copies as I need onto 8.5x11 sticker paper from Amazon/Office Depot (usually used to make full size mailing labels, etc) -- <a href="https://amzn.to/3PMFqRb" target="_blank">like this</a>. Then we cut them out! Very simple.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLzOepwTHYMng_QlVVWnLqjTVFp46fH7DeGfzcGf5VfXj7Wgj_V6niJxvqJhPjsZ0gS2B2ujjWxoCiTYrhapY_iqwo4ePM9gY56LLZ845mGFyrE1cIJWW1w9RZZA1rOfCmBIg-fppHzYCnNsfSt5M3QLRQ8Ljx-GA3f4iQDf0wp1JOQGn0DOdwwnHrw/s4032/20220610_144333.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLzOepwTHYMng_QlVVWnLqjTVFp46fH7DeGfzcGf5VfXj7Wgj_V6niJxvqJhPjsZ0gS2B2ujjWxoCiTYrhapY_iqwo4ePM9gY56LLZ845mGFyrE1cIJWW1w9RZZA1rOfCmBIg-fppHzYCnNsfSt5M3QLRQ8Ljx-GA3f4iQDf0wp1JOQGn0DOdwwnHrw/w400-h300/20220610_144333.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I also want to mention that at other times, I have printed our selections as 4x6 prints at Snapfish for my kids to keep in a personal photo album. (I actually am still doing that also since my older kids still want to add copies to their albums-in-progress!) <a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-artist-prints" target="_blank">Riverbend Press</a> sells 4x6 sets of the term prints that are perfect for this for those who would rather not DIY and want a higher quality item.</p><p>~~~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Mv4O2Mnn27C6JX78FA4XxLe7gXPC8Z7dPWGIn8uk-rOW_y1kYiJWezv_kyAuPaY6VaraCZJtw2xsR7V5Hd80AS4YtGg__0lvyfEt46NVfMQGP1uxQSXn7yGvWVGm2LyPku-fTRXDOcCFlTrNVGatfu3jbzc4PkOmiK9uw-j0nq2rPgh0-xD89JJNDg/s3461/20220704_202431.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3461" data-original-width="3023" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Mv4O2Mnn27C6JX78FA4XxLe7gXPC8Z7dPWGIn8uk-rOW_y1kYiJWezv_kyAuPaY6VaraCZJtw2xsR7V5Hd80AS4YtGg__0lvyfEt46NVfMQGP1uxQSXn7yGvWVGm2LyPku-fTRXDOcCFlTrNVGatfu3jbzc4PkOmiK9uw-j0nq2rPgh0-xD89JJNDg/w350-h400/20220704_202431.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">pre-reading almost always involves a snack for me as a pregnant mom! LOL</span></div><p>I told myself after I got back from the retreat that I would spend the final two weeks preparing our school year: finishing up necessary pre-reading, planning subjects like art and Italian, building our timetables, etc.</p><p>I still have a lot to do -- art and handicraft supplies need to be organized, Terms 2 and 3 still have some pre-reading left to do, etc. But it's moving along and feeling more likely I'll be ready to go next Monday! My boys are going to camp the second week of August, so we're actually doing a week of school and then taking a week off before beginning in earnest. So there are a lot of little things I can wait on during that "break week." I'm thinking of that first week as a "soft start."</p><p>The timetable is really the last necessary task, so that's my focus over the next few days. With so many students, it really is a puzzle, but once I get it laid out, I know I'll feel ready to begin. </p><p>It's so exciting to think of the weeks ahead with so many wonderful "books and things" ahead of us, even if there are lots of logistics to work out too.</p><p>~~~</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVLAXsoS_oqli8CiG1u2LsyREJzr4NsPb0Ds7QKnSxcimZHRwebhZiVYFahDjE0_MAt42qcBvTwE9_SLftFgWbNQrahuYX8-4dEV2JM7up8BXogEmgafqk5BWaEkcpG-GmiXeJrq1V24mxx91JXdY228B6AJjpt3-QdecEyLE1Rn43Xri2xOHC3PkoiQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="939" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVLAXsoS_oqli8CiG1u2LsyREJzr4NsPb0Ds7QKnSxcimZHRwebhZiVYFahDjE0_MAt42qcBvTwE9_SLftFgWbNQrahuYX8-4dEV2JM7up8BXogEmgafqk5BWaEkcpG-GmiXeJrq1V24mxx91JXdY228B6AJjpt3-QdecEyLE1Rn43Xri2xOHC3PkoiQ=w400-h291" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTdd36dDT6yKitf9M--_JxbT0ui_2cXH9WgWJUbHNewDRD-kF1h76SuLCtRYpQo18TRWTJ8YhgzpF24Rc4vkN-_puHINqs_HVNuGy4lY8_hV5rvGvoa0riBJhXQWxy7pd8xNXz1c6B3XeyArdMa0hEh9yQ70Pkpnp3EH95FbnvEz2ZU-3qyjlM56oAnA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="952" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTdd36dDT6yKitf9M--_JxbT0ui_2cXH9WgWJUbHNewDRD-kF1h76SuLCtRYpQo18TRWTJ8YhgzpF24Rc4vkN-_puHINqs_HVNuGy4lY8_hV5rvGvoa0riBJhXQWxy7pd8xNXz1c6B3XeyArdMa0hEh9yQ70Pkpnp3EH95FbnvEz2ZU-3qyjlM56oAnA=w400-h265" width="400" /></a></div><br />I had lots of tasks on my summer list that did not get done (once I found out I was pregnant, I put at least a dozen things on the back burner), but one thing I did do was prepare a new chore chart for the year. Little kids needed more responsibilities, some new "problem spots" in our home needed to be added to the routine, and my older kids needed their chores to be a little more flexible now that their schedule is more unpredictable.<p></p><p>(Did I mention my oldest got a job?! Actually he got two! Not sure which he'll keep for the school year, but he has been happy to have the extra hours during the summer.)</p><p>Another thing we are working on is a new menu rotation for fall. My 13yo daughter has also been organizing our most-used recipes into reference sheets for all of the young chefs I have in the house now. I'll share more once that project is complete!</p><p>~~~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PgZ9sCjTxd1P2rBw2WmtFEh3661hG0GPFpYs_9opiTDNB2PXOQ3tU9td5PNSOQ9XZMAsBRtohjjQ2O0tRmFc4PjKHm_IsrLuXhGnCv0jMmFlP2V84WqobBc0olF5jrZ6dv6yOXi4rtbBrQwFuuRklfPW3C15vCzHA-DswR_bvTwmcT8axKO2DES9WA/s1080/IMG_20220703_101225_153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PgZ9sCjTxd1P2rBw2WmtFEh3661hG0GPFpYs_9opiTDNB2PXOQ3tU9td5PNSOQ9XZMAsBRtohjjQ2O0tRmFc4PjKHm_IsrLuXhGnCv0jMmFlP2V84WqobBc0olF5jrZ6dv6yOXi4rtbBrQwFuuRklfPW3C15vCzHA-DswR_bvTwmcT8axKO2DES9WA/w400-h400/IMG_20220703_101225_153.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3vqBHM0P_MJlya0EZzVzqf7y-ZaX8N0RQgsSXriUW9QSeH-XdRG6-Vb25dkTjQPm4WX97lPI2yWA9VHxr8PNLyJHCskQ4IwzgEy_LiRK3tKX6SWl0FEh5XS69uUcJ74eaQllay-uWuLhnyBBUcnMNHnstrWi7e7B4PxJtrZEAyT8XSKDzrbpJbVKQA/s1080/IMG_20220703_101225_292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3vqBHM0P_MJlya0EZzVzqf7y-ZaX8N0RQgsSXriUW9QSeH-XdRG6-Vb25dkTjQPm4WX97lPI2yWA9VHxr8PNLyJHCskQ4IwzgEy_LiRK3tKX6SWl0FEh5XS69uUcJ74eaQllay-uWuLhnyBBUcnMNHnstrWi7e7B4PxJtrZEAyT8XSKDzrbpJbVKQA/w400-h400/IMG_20220703_101225_292.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Two of my "little boys" received their First Communion last month! Gianna did their final preparation and my two older boys served the Mass. It was a special day.</p><p>~~~</p><p>Another exciting change in our home is that with the mask mandate removed late in the spring, my two oldest boys have been able to participate regularly in in-person chess tournaments. They have been playing online chess for a couple years, but going to "real" tournaments has been super fun and built their skills in a new way.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLU3hxt67mPURHE-9F7uvDBmAhMAl8UYHlL8W5gHSQDGVb2rnoqV-GFfVsbcHh9WVfUg80s7larAyCVOcWLjuMfGLSOA3WpDWG3UDgckFZ0Nx0M4LVVTJ1f-KbHkB5XvtYC2UcT0XjX2sbjfqEpxp118pfcNmMnOiHw1mFE-Ki0xvQha3q85Oo_yxPYQ/s4608/IMG_20220716_210554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLU3hxt67mPURHE-9F7uvDBmAhMAl8UYHlL8W5gHSQDGVb2rnoqV-GFfVsbcHh9WVfUg80s7larAyCVOcWLjuMfGLSOA3WpDWG3UDgckFZ0Nx0M4LVVTJ1f-KbHkB5XvtYC2UcT0XjX2sbjfqEpxp118pfcNmMnOiHw1mFE-Ki0xvQha3q85Oo_yxPYQ/w300-h400/IMG_20220716_210554.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">with a chess-playing friend!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeOmv8UHrIeZORH2HhXUggxt8c7flRSKU4OZ41gPFMej8rmwBNVX3ljYcWJJK3_awojNaFaYURbDC2JYv0VtMD0L_i9OlHogLzfh1eVkcbAxY-jNg4DwM19F51Oy3l1IKLzEJs5-f-UuU1n2-mLKLzsI2dgTzEBjULkfofKODmfZkyPxPjoG7yR2HuQ/s4608/IMG_20220521_205730.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeOmv8UHrIeZORH2HhXUggxt8c7flRSKU4OZ41gPFMej8rmwBNVX3ljYcWJJK3_awojNaFaYURbDC2JYv0VtMD0L_i9OlHogLzfh1eVkcbAxY-jNg4DwM19F51Oy3l1IKLzEJs5-f-UuU1n2-mLKLzsI2dgTzEBjULkfofKODmfZkyPxPjoG7yR2HuQ/w400-h300/IMG_20220521_205730.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypiTaeEJXGpcvfVnWOTuwvKx8MGIo37it7Dzqxii1KPUDEtglDNczIlyEZKuU7-uj7OGJ2GT0q6yPjBbICLIMk_QwL9_6Rl2Hu4UpMlD3L2ZJ6lcj2EtIwlrnx1Ogg5pLZZPaGYiEH7PWtTZBi6bzUd9ha2BKbnOJ8gMoRVSxmpA-xScbjHhVvkFBFA/s4039/IMG_20220424_182059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4039" data-original-width="3356" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypiTaeEJXGpcvfVnWOTuwvKx8MGIo37it7Dzqxii1KPUDEtglDNczIlyEZKuU7-uj7OGJ2GT0q6yPjBbICLIMk_QwL9_6Rl2Hu4UpMlD3L2ZJ6lcj2EtIwlrnx1Ogg5pLZZPaGYiEH7PWtTZBi6bzUd9ha2BKbnOJ8gMoRVSxmpA-xScbjHhVvkFBFA/w333-h400/IMG_20220424_182059.jpg" width="333" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">a "team" win for our homeschool - LOL</span></div><p>~~~</p><p>I'll admit -- this has been an overwhelming summer in many ways! But I think I end up saying that every year somehow. I have come to the conclusion that my particular vocation doesn't lend itself to restful breaks -- ha! I am grateful for the work God has given me in this life and will head into a new school year relying on Him.</p><p>When are you starting school -- will you be back to it in August, like us? What have been some of the highlights of your summer? I'd love an update!</p>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-89276147195709929692022-07-21T09:31:00.001-07:002022-08-30T20:01:48.411-07:00Catholic History and Religion :: 2022-2023 School Year<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkaVRHhakSToZhJLiVxCYdrQYuambQW76Eq1HlCfscr_jMQkw8rwdFI2Axx0ymGr8D6J8GGo7ZPuNXBzTCe1HxPMA2y5eG9ZjJzEJZIu2-JdaDvkx8Y5aC24JyQxAjLZdIlTUHj36NcEIQro1GZa9nWQasE4JnMxwhewG5QzmkwhGfDWh-UOjPk0_gg/s4008/20220721_084952.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2387" data-original-width="4008" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkaVRHhakSToZhJLiVxCYdrQYuambQW76Eq1HlCfscr_jMQkw8rwdFI2Axx0ymGr8D6J8GGo7ZPuNXBzTCe1HxPMA2y5eG9ZjJzEJZIu2-JdaDvkx8Y5aC24JyQxAjLZdIlTUHj36NcEIQro1GZa9nWQasE4JnMxwhewG5QzmkwhGfDWh-UOjPk0_gg/w640-h382/20220721_084952.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks for your patience as I put this annual post together!</span></p></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span>Here I'm offering some suggestions for books that tie to the 1780-1900 time period we are studying this year in American, English, and world history (as well as a few for ancient Rome, our focus for ancients!) </span><span>and additional resources for our regular Bible and religion studies.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">This year, I am assigning Catholic reading for eight formal students: two in Form 5 (11th graders), two in Form 3 (7th grader and 8th grader), two in Form 2 (4th grader and 5th grader), and two in Form 1 (1st grader and 3rd grader). </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Once again, we will be using</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a href="https://www.thecmec.org/" target="_blank">the CMEC</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">mostly as written for all Forms.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">This post is organized in the following way: (1) Bible for all Forms, (2) Historical Supplements for Forms 1-3, (3) Religion for Forms 1-3, and then (4) </span><span style="color: #222222;">Catholic History and Religion for High School at the end.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Previous' years plans:</span></p><p><a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2020/07/catholic-history-and-religion-2020-2021.html" target="_blank">Catholic History and Religion :: 2020-2021 School Year</a></p><p><a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2021/08/catholic-history-and-religion-2021-2022.html" target="_blank">Catholic History and Religion :: 2021-2022 School Year</a></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">~~~</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMspmN_Xm0F0hWIWKtYPF3OdC_U5aLawVHsgm0QbWfekEgEzIhMORXMNI2Lto0d3i-1QZBmEabjwgsxduV3hMgtTuouwDTrieQ8DeUoawOpi38DEfo7vBTtVKnh4S7LpsXskizN6t25MrWIp-ozbJmkWKbQx3Seo1ndRZmXUDeFpkwit9w3yic1FfNTQ/s3726/20220721_085416.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2897" data-original-width="3726" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMspmN_Xm0F0hWIWKtYPF3OdC_U5aLawVHsgm0QbWfekEgEzIhMORXMNI2Lto0d3i-1QZBmEabjwgsxduV3hMgtTuouwDTrieQ8DeUoawOpi38DEfo7vBTtVKnh4S7LpsXskizN6t25MrWIp-ozbJmkWKbQx3Seo1ndRZmXUDeFpkwit9w3yic1FfNTQ/w400-h311/20220721_085416.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div><b style="background-color: transparent;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><b style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;">BIBLE</b></b></p>Lower Forms</b></b><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;"><span>For Old Testament, my students in Form 1-3 will be reading Joshua and Judges. </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2682457774245843924/2330809967532515883#" target="_blank">As I have explained before</a>, the CMEC follows the PNEU in scheduling Paterson-Smyth's books as a resource for Bible lessons, and I use his <i>Joshua and the Judges</i> for my preparation as well. <span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">I like to take his suggestions and combine with Catholic resources, so I rely on </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2W39jmT" target="_blank">Knecht's <i>A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture</i></a> too<span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">. This tome (it's a thick one!) provides a Catholic perspective on both Old and New Testaments, from historical background to theological and doctrinal connections to application. I have used it in various ways over the past few years and always with good results. It</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">also includes a few nice images and diagrams helpful for Book of Centuries work.</span></span></p><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">For New Testament, my students in Forms 1 and 2 will read the Gospel of Luke. Paterson-Smyth doesn't have a commentary for this Gospel,</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span> so I will be us</span><span>ing <a href="https://amzn.to/3yQeOaW" target="_blank">t</a></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3yQeOaW" target="_blank">he Navarre commentary</a> (lots of affordable used copies!), which comes on the recommendation of good friends.</span></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Upper Forms</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">For New Testament, my high schoolers will be reading through Psalms and Proverbs this year with a few commentary resources on hand:</span></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dummelow's <i>One-Volume Bible Commentary</i> - We used this </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">PNEU-re</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">commended commentary last year and my kids liked the historical details it includes on each book. (<a href="https://amzn.to/3RRenpF" target="_blank">This</a> is the new edition -- we have an older used one.)</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">For Psalms: <a href="https://amzn.to/3ooM2ct" target="_blank"><i>Commentary on the Psalms</i> by St. Robert Bellarmine</a> (I got an affordable used copy). I looked at a few different psalms commentaries from the saints and this was the one I thought my students would most enjoy. He does not provide much historical background or concordance with other areas of scripture, instead giving thorough explications for each psalm. I think my students will appreciate his perspective.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">For Proverbs: I have printed a few different texts from online resources, including <a href="https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/most/getwork.cfm?worknum=149" target="_blank">Father Most's commentary at Catholic Culture</a>.</span></li></ul></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">My Form 3-5 students will also have two streams of New Testament reading: </span></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">First, they'll be reading the gospels alongside Charlotte Mason's </span><i style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/saviour-of-the-world-by-charlotte-mason" target="_blank">Saviour of the World</a></i><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Second, they'll be completing their two-year study of Acts this year alongside </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3AlboiN" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Ellen Knox's <i>The Acts of the Apostles</i></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">. This is not a Catholic commentary and includes comments we disagree with here and there, but I have been reading it alongside my students and it has made for good discussions. I described this book last year as well, but just for reference:</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This PNEU book happens to be written by the aunt of Ronald Knox, author of <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3xiAHwE" target="_blank">The Creed in Slow Motion</a></i> and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3bEmh4V" target="_blank">The Mass in Slow Motion</a></i>, two favorite books around here! Here's how my friend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kyndrasteinmann/" target="_blank">Kyndra </a>explains the connection: </span></div></blockquote><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Monsignor Knox' father was the Anglican Bishop of Manchester and a staunch evangelical (so staunch in fact that he cut his son out of his will upon his conversion to Catholicism). One of Monsignor Knox' brothers was an influential Anglo-Catholic priest who never could quite make the move to Rome. Both men were influenced by John Ruskin. Monsignor Knox was a friend of G.K.Chesterton and Frances Chesterton was the first secretary of Charlotte Mason's PNEU! Some of the best and brightest minds of late nineteeth/early twentieth century Britain and they all knew one another....</i></span></blockquote><div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>All Forms</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In all our Bible lessons, we will be reading directly from our favorite translation, <a href="https://amzn.to/38t0SpD" target="_blank">the Douay-Rheims</a>. Each of my Upper Forms students has <a href="https://amzn.to/3jhHEcm">his or her own copy to use</a>, and I use mine for the younger kids. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We rely often on <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2Vcw8XU" target="_blank">The Dore Bible Illustrations</a></i>. I have used this volume for years and it so handy to have these scenes so reverently and beautifully illustrated all in one place!</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">As a side note: our </span><a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/tbg-songbook-2022-23" target="_blank"><i><span style="background-color: white;">TBG Songbooks</span></i><span style="background-color: white;"> from Riverbend Press</span></a> <span style="background-color: white;">include the Bible passages for the year in the King James Version, so I print ours in the Douay-Rheims and tape it in for our recitations. And for the terms that schedule a hymn we have already covered, we will work on reciting the additional verses of that hymn but also add in a Latin hymn to learn.</span></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">~~~</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfQz_PRY0JAuQXg6P9ggLzBnFo-DSrfceEp24cS0xxw0ftaWPGhF7P3wOM0RD3kIM-CfM2MiPFMOursRKQnb9oq5S6JdwRV4fC1ZiSQVtddoqW0FHdHpS2-JtlGD3Jiu-tOEpc2-iUajp8_w1CM7t0fSo7WBUr0g7slPUMU8E7wRi8kLG2sL28CXcBw/s3892/20220721_085825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2956" data-original-width="3892" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfQz_PRY0JAuQXg6P9ggLzBnFo-DSrfceEp24cS0xxw0ftaWPGhF7P3wOM0RD3kIM-CfM2MiPFMOursRKQnb9oq5S6JdwRV4fC1ZiSQVtddoqW0FHdHpS2-JtlGD3Jiu-tOEpc2-iUajp8_w1CM7t0fSo7WBUr0g7slPUMU8E7wRi8kLG2sL28CXcBw/w400-h304/20220721_085825.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></b><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>CATHOLIC HISTORICAL SUPPLEMENTS FOR FORMS 1-3</span></b></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">This coming year, we will be studying roughly 1780-1800 (beginning with the French Revolution through Reconstruction after the Civil War). My Form 2A and 3 students will also be studying Ancient Rome.</span></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Form 1</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">My Form 1 students will read a couple easier saint biographies from the list below or from our collection of Windeatt books for this time period, including <a href="https://amzn.to/3yUmdpB" target="_blank"><i>The Miraculous Medal</i> </a>(on Catherine Laboure), </span></span><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3aUzEOk" target="_blank">The Little Flower</a></i><span style="background-color: white;"> (on St. Therese), </span><i style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3PEwA8t" target="_blank">The Cure of Ars</a></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> (on John Vianney),</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3ySR1Hy" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Pauline Jaricot</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">. (The last two are longer and would be fine for Form 2 as well.) </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">When they come around to this period again in Form 2 or 3, they will have the chance to read the others.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>Forms 2 and 3</b><br /></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Most of these are from the Vision series or the American Background Series being reprinted by <a href="https://www.hillsideeducation.com/index.php/nature-study-and-history/" target="_blank">Hillside Education</a>. This isn't an exhaustive list -- just what we have on our shelves, in no particular order. My students and I will pick 1-2 for them to read each term on Sundays. The others will go on the free reading shelf. (Form 3 students who are strong readers may also like some of the options under High School as well.)</span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3cvckY4" target="_blank">Lauren Ford's <i>Our Lady's Book</i></a> (mentioned below under spriritual reading as well)</li><li style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3zmJ5Qj" target="_blank">Keyes' <i>Mother Cabrini: Missionary to the World</i></a> (may save this for next year)</li><li style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3PqFpCD" target="_blank">Osiek's </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3PqFpCD" target="_blank">Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne: A Heart on Fire acrss Frontiers</a> </i>(if not read last year)</li><li style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3yVpmFL" target="_blank">Powers-Waters' <i>Mother Seton and the Sisters of Charity</i></a></li><li style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3ISR3DA" target="_blank">Beebe's <i>Saint John Bosco and Saint Dominic Savio</i></a></li><li style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3ITFqMQ" target="_blank">Mother Mary Eleanor's <i>The Last Apostle</i></a> (out of print, to tie to our reading in ancient Rome)</li><li style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3PERhk7" target="_blank">Garnett's <i>Florence Nightingale's Nuns</i></a></li><li style="color: #222222;">Smaridge's <i>Hands of Mercy: The Story of Sister-Nurses in the Civil War </i>(out of print, I have an <a href="https://www.biblio.com/booksearch/author/norah-smaridge/title/hands-of-mercy-the-story" target="_blank">old copy</a>, though there appears to be a reprint now available?)</li><li><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3aRy5kf" target="_blank">Heagney's <i>Chaplain in Gray: Abram Ryan</i></a></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3PCBt12" target="_blank">Lomask's <i>General Phil Sheridan and the Union Calvary</i></a></span></li><li><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3IRxDPu" target="_blank">Hurley's <i>John Hughes, Eagle of the Church</i> </a>(if not read last year)</span></li><li><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3B67Tgt" target="_blank">Hopkins' <i>Black Robe Peacemaker: Pierre De Smet</i></a> (a new one for us)</span></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3olhk4i" target="_blank">Bartelme's </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3olhk4i" target="_blank">Simon Brute and the Western Adventure</a> </i>(one of my favorites from when my older kids went through this time period)</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3B6Iy5Z" target="_blank">de Wohl's <i>St. Helena and the True Cross</i></a> (he also wrote an adult version, linked under High School)</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3coSoWJ" target="_blank">Betz' <i>Knight of Molokai</i></a><i> </i>and<i> <a href="https://amzn.to/3S20iWz" target="_blank">Yankee at Molokai</a></i> (both out of print, unfortunately)</li></ul></div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Other Notes on Form 1-3 History</b></div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2682457774245843924/8927614719570992969#" target="_blank">Arnold-Forster's <i>A History of England</i></a><a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/history-of-england" style="color: #2187bb; text-decoration-line: none;"> </a>and <a href="https://amzn.to/3B1Jj0k" target="_blank">H.E. Marshall's <i>Our Island Story</i></a> are both written from a British, Anglican perspective. I love the books and think they are certainly worth using! I can't really imagine our homeschool without them. However, I do generally edit here and there and supplement with Catholic reading as described above for a more balanced view. With this approach, I think my students get to understand how the viewpoint of the author colors his or her work.</span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This year's assigned chapters don't need to be adjusted at all in my view, though. The only time they discuss Catholics is when describing the Catholic Emancipation Act in England, which is presented in both texts as a positive move toward justice.</span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The same can be said for our American history texts this year, <i>This Country of Ours</i> and <i>Builders of Our Country, Volume 2</i>.</span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">~~~</span></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZ8Q65ri8Q8rFP6_mCWG5bJQtXLuOQZN6fk7jQJuQN3fNImGp-pKaodrrDWWjfFyVNxYo0f6Shl1WmWZbbY_iK-BMs-i6ot6wigwLmexNBrgyiJE8htdySALexxS-EANJvUledBi_Tas7XwskJvFRRTdgCQOlXoKyz2T5MCz6x9avBc4_hYOSKH_oFQ/s3787/20220721_085949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2831" data-original-width="3787" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZ8Q65ri8Q8rFP6_mCWG5bJQtXLuOQZN6fk7jQJuQN3fNImGp-pKaodrrDWWjfFyVNxYo0f6Shl1WmWZbbY_iK-BMs-i6ot6wigwLmexNBrgyiJE8htdySALexxS-EANJvUledBi_Tas7XwskJvFRRTdgCQOlXoKyz2T5MCz6x9avBc4_hYOSKH_oFQ/w400-h299/20220721_085949.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b>RELIGION FOR FORMS 1-3</b></div><div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Catechetical Instruction and Sacramental Prep</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">My two Form 1 students just received First Holy Communion last month! (You can read about my</span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"> FHC preparation plans </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2013/05/preparation-for-first-holy-communion.html" target="_blank">here </a></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">and</span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"> <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2020/07/catholic-history-and-religion-2020-2021.html" target="_blank">here</a>.) So they are very fresh on the basics and are ready for further study.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This year, I plan to spend a half hour with my Form 1 and 2 students each week in a study of the Mass. I will be using the following resources from our shelves:</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3AnhvDo" target="_blank">Treasure and Tradition</a> </i>(cheaper to order directly through </span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #222222;">St. Augustine Academy Press)</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3yC81CP" target="_blank">Maria Montessori's <i>The Mass Explained to Children</i></a> (my Form 2 and 3 students have already been through this text)</span></li><li>Mass cards - I got <a href="http://www.catholictradition.org/Priests/traditional-mass.htm" target="_blank">these images</a> printed as 8.5x11 on cardstock many years ago and they have been such a wonderful tool for instruction!</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3B9zYn8" target="_blank">Father Francis' <i>Come to Mass</i></a></li><li>And a couple out-of-print resources I love on this topic: <a href="https://amzn.to/3zldpKQ" target="_blank"><i>The Story of the Mass: an Illustrated Presentation</i> by Neumann Press</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/3PGTyer" target="_blank"><i>This is the Mass </i>by Daniel-Rops and Sheen</a> (not worth the current prices, but good to find at a Catholic used bookshop!)</li></ul></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And as a side note: I have been previewing lately a few new texts about the Traditional Latin Mass to see if they are worth recommending. </span>I get asked for books about the TLM for children a lot and I always like to have a few good in-print and affordable recommendations to pass along! A couple new ones on our shelves are <a href="https://amzn.to/3og869p"><i>Traditional Latin Mass: A Missal for Little Ones</i></a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/3IUMWXR" target="_blank"><i>A Beginners Guide to the Traditional Latin Mass</i></a>. <span style="font-family: inherit;">It's nice when discussing the mass structure to have various depictions of Low and High Mass to compare as well as different prayers for the different parts of the Mass to explain their overall role in the liturgy.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We will also be practicing with the hand missal -- <a href="https://amzn.to/3zmgTNt" target="_blank">this is my fave for littles</a>, but the kids who just received FHC will be moving on to proper missals soon!</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(For more titles for young children, I recommend a bunch here </span>(listed under "For My Younger Kids")<span style="font-family: inherit;">. I would also add to that list </span><i><a href="https://amzn.to/2TRZ2vQ" target="_blank">Leading Little Ones to Mary</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3jgSm37" target="_blank">The Secret of Mary Explained to Children</a>,</i> which I read with my littles last year.)</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_lgsU9kFlSlVrGssBN4uvNfdyq9loxSA77svghK0vmzuTcEwG8pqtxXbYUBV4ponA6mofVq09kyEl90O4jMF9782rRw1MV9Tel3Peq-vNqXSxxXrk7ykMpyu5nVHSvlbLR54Gbjpv3h1qHptcZMqNtinPXIKRDjUjO3mE96DrB1WPjieZ0by9ST9lg/s3745/20220721_085642.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2828" data-original-width="3745" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_lgsU9kFlSlVrGssBN4uvNfdyq9loxSA77svghK0vmzuTcEwG8pqtxXbYUBV4ponA6mofVq09kyEl90O4jMF9782rRw1MV9Tel3Peq-vNqXSxxXrk7ykMpyu5nVHSvlbLR54Gbjpv3h1qHptcZMqNtinPXIKRDjUjO3mE96DrB1WPjieZ0by9ST9lg/w400-h303/20220721_085642.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">My Form 3 students will be preparing for Confirmation this year. (My older daughter will likely go through her prep in just one year. I may stretch my son's to his two years of middle school.) Here are the resources they will be using:</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Two books by Mother Mary Loyola: <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3yDnAub" target="_blank">The Soldier of Christ: Talks before Confirmation</a></i> (for both) and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3yeLP06" target="_blank">Home for Good</a> </i>(just for my daughter)</div></li><li><div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><a href="https://amzn.to/3AlXMnm" target="_blank">Fr. Lasance's <i>The Catholic Girl's Guide</i></a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/3AlgUSx" target="_blank"><i>Young Man's Guide</i></a></div></li><li><div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><a href="https://amzn.to/3I7sgLU" target="_blank">Baltimore Catechism 2</a></div></li><li><div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3NIHbwZ" target="_blank">Preparation for Confirmation</a></i> (very slim book with just the basics, cheaper to buy directly from Angelus Press)</div></li><li><div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">They also will be reading about the saints as they discern their Confirmation names!</div></li></ul></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCFe5b-PG2T0JZa5uRp7Cs7Pha6EIJbbRL2GW4JeT5ZDgVPm6RPtEjCfcgQPU08zIH8jpbgCge5-VJFJ5sjfdy040ikZliNek5sihtPu2NvUPYs6xXvXHlMY20G2stMPoo8fTmnOLXsBWate4GzdTXYa0W1aJQFBoOWcTyszvfvT5EKoutqg51l-cnw/s4032/20220721_085909.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCFe5b-PG2T0JZa5uRp7Cs7Pha6EIJbbRL2GW4JeT5ZDgVPm6RPtEjCfcgQPU08zIH8jpbgCge5-VJFJ5sjfdy040ikZliNek5sihtPu2NvUPYs6xXvXHlMY20G2stMPoo8fTmnOLXsBWate4GzdTXYa0W1aJQFBoOWcTyszvfvT5EKoutqg51l-cnw/w400-h300/20220721_085909.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Spiritual Reading</b><br /><br />My Form 1 and 2 students will be studying with me on Sundays, as mentioned above.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My Form 3 students will read a book a term for additional Sunday reading:</span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Olf9YL" target="_blank">Marigold Hunt's <i>St. Patrick's Summer</i></a> (in the past two years they have read <i>A Book of Angels</i> and <i>The First Christians</i> by Hunt)</span></li><li><span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3yQfBbU" target="_blank">Mother Loyola's <i>Coram Sanctissimo</i></a> (in the past two years they have read </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Hail, Full of Grace </i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">and </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Forgive Us Our Trespasses</i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> by Mother Loyola)</span></span></li><li><span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3cqYwxG">Lauren Ford's <i>Our Lady's Book</i></a> (Technically this is saints' reading, but it's so wonderful and a bit longer than our other biographies, so I'm slotting it here! Unfortunately, it's out of print.)</span></span></li></ul></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="background-color: white;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a family, we will finish up our re-read of Mother Loyola's </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3zUyEAG" style="font-weight: 400;" target="_blank"><i>First Communion</i></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and then we may just start back up from the beginning again!</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Liturgical Year (read as a family)</i></b></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">This year, we will </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">continue</span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"> </span><i style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://amzn.to/38wjUvf" target="_blank">A Character Calendar</a></i><i style="background-color: white;">, </i><span style="background-color: white;">which has been a favorite with my younger students. </span><span><span style="background-color: white;"> I will also do some season-specific family reading. We may go back to</span><span style="background-color: white;"> <a href="https://amzn.to/3Pm8Q8I">the </a></span></span><span><a href="https://amzn.to/3Pm8Q8I" style="background-color: white;">Troadec volumes</a></span><span><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><span style="background-color: white;">which we used on and off last year, or we may try something different before Advent arrives. I personally find Mother Loyola's </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3ROhO0d" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">"With the Church" series</a><span style="background-color: white;"> much richer than Troadec's, but the simplicity of Fr. Troadec does make it accessible to a broader range of ages.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I read these at breakfast time, so my older kids listen in too. Many of the mottoes from <i>A Character Calendar</i> have found their way into my students' Motto Books!</span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">~~~</span></div></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbS-Ma6-Sy9Q_BZoDw18gPHUo3BZm-GK6DVf_hOBFht1-hy6ngyxq2Ni9Stesr1-V6YcEhR8cAU_bxQS-vqhpyKBZQOYmJEMzYPmrIFPZS2u8r2z-exJMqZrYRXCWn9dNRu943I4dmgctHHhkyq__BtmUxkrhyEjqX--gPYPBF9tzGtWHV4R43tuOwQ/s3215/20220721_085202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2831" data-original-width="3215" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbS-Ma6-Sy9Q_BZoDw18gPHUo3BZm-GK6DVf_hOBFht1-hy6ngyxq2Ni9Stesr1-V6YcEhR8cAU_bxQS-vqhpyKBZQOYmJEMzYPmrIFPZS2u8r2z-exJMqZrYRXCWn9dNRu943I4dmgctHHhkyq__BtmUxkrhyEjqX--gPYPBF9tzGtWHV4R43tuOwQ/w400-h353/20220721_085202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>CATHOLIC HISTORY AND RELIGION FOR FORM 5 (HIGH SCHOOL)</b></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As always, please preview the books listed below before handing to your high schoolers.</span></div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><b>Catholic Historical Supplements</b></div><div style="color: #222222;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="color: #222222;">The CMEC's high school history texts, which are written from a secular perspective, are quite nuanced and well-balanced, so I find our additional reading on Catholic-specific persons and events more than rounds out the period for my students.</div><div style="color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222;"><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I add a weekly Catholic history block to my high schoolers' timetable. Here's what will fill that slot this year:</span></div><div><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Selections from Carroll's </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3C9pBOu">The Revolution Against Christendom: 1650-1823</a> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">and </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3uiulyE" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><i>The Crisis of Christendom: 1815-2005</i></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (This series is not perfect by any means -- my kids get frustrated with Carroll's voice sometimes. But it is thorough and does a good job setting up the major issues of each period. We'll be reading Chapers 8-end of </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Revolution </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">and 1-6 of </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Crisis.</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">)</span></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3NBNNx9" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Belloc's <i>The French Revolution</i></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (my kids love his style -- this may end up being a free read because Carroll is pretty long)</span></li><li>And for reference (not scheduled): <a href="https://amzn.to/3fmdGTz" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Vidmar's <i>The Catholic Church Through the Ages: A History</i></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2V8RHJ0" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Lovasik's <i>St. Joseph Church History</i></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. These books have been helpful when they want to understand better the development of an idea or movement within the Church over time.</span></li></ul></div></div><div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I also like to schedule some Catholic literature or historical fiction. Some selections for this year:</span></div><div><div><ul><li><span><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3czfPgg" target="_blank">Gertrude von le Fort's </a></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3czfPgg" target="_blank">Song of the Scaffold</a> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">(a thought-provoking novella what provides a new perspective on the French Revolution)</span></span></li><li style="color: #222222;"><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3aR9CLU" target="_blank">Sienkiewiczk's </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3aR9CLU" target="_blank">Quo Vadis</a> </i>(to connect to our Ancient Rome studies since my kids have already read <i>Ben Hur</i>, which is assigned by the CMEC this year)</span></li><li style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3aWe9wK" target="_blank">Willa Cather's </a></span><i style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3aWe9wK" target="_blank">Death Comes for the Archbishop</a> </i>(assigned by the CMEC in Term 3)</li><li style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins and Francis Thompson<i> </i></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">(assigned by the CMEC in Term 3)</span></li><li style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3ROjfvD" target="_blank">Benson's</a></span><i style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3ROjfvD" target="_blank"> The Necromancer</a> </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">(</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">We have enjoyed Msgr. Benson's books before and this one is set in the Victorian period. I have read it's an argument against spiritualism and has some scary moments! I definitely need to pre-read first, but thought I would mention here in case you were interested too.)</span></li></ul></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b></div><div style="color: #222222;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">Religion</b></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">For the older kids, I have assigned a bunch of books in various categories. These will be for daily devotional reading, Sunday reading, and leisure reading.<br /><br />Spiritual classics written during the period:<br /></span><div style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Pp4cHa" target="_blank">Daily Thoughts of Mother Seton</a> </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">(I may dip into this during Moring Basket as well)</span></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3cnWcrb" target="_blank">Msgr. Benson's </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3cnWcrb" target="_blank">The Friendship of Christ</a> </i>(our priest has been quoting from this off and on for the past year, and we love Benson's fiction, so I want to give this a try)</li><li><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ok9qrE" target="_blank">Selected Sermons, Prayers, and Devotions from John Henry Newman</a></i></li><li>St. Augustine's <i>Confessions</i> (scheduled by the CMEC for Term 2)</li><li><i><a href="The Sermons of the Cure d'Ars: For the Sundays and Feasts of the Year " target="_blank">The Sermons of the Cure d'Ars</a></i> (mine will be alternating between the St. Francis de Sales sermons listed below and these, depending on the liturgical season, reading one weekly) </li></ul></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Saint biographies and autobiographies:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3v2xsuW" target="_blank">Farrow's </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3v2xsuW" target="_blank">Damien the Leper</a> </i>(scheduled by the CMEC as one of their term biographies)</li><li style="color: #222222;"><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ogvSBV" target="_blank">The Life Of Father De Smet S.J.: Apostle Of The Rocky Mountains</a></i> (good American biography for us)</li><li style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3PFxktp" target="_blank">de Wohl's </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3PFxktp" target="_blank">Restless Flame: A Story of St. Augustine</a> </i>(fictionalized biography - nice to read alongside his <i>Confessions</i>)</li><li><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3aX4VjF" target="_blank">Venerable Fr. Germanus' </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3aX4VjF" target="_blank">The Life of St. Gemma Galgani</a> </i>(one of my favorite saints)</span></li><li style="color: #222222;"><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3aWEN8L" target="_blank">St. John Bosco: The Friend of Youth</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3OoBHYS" target="_blank">Forty Dreams of St. John Bosco</a></i></li><li style="color: #222222;"><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ogw6cf" target="_blank">The Story of a Soul: the Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux</a> </i>(another personal favorite!)</li><li style="color: #222222;"><a href="Saint Philomena, the Wonder-Worker" target="_blank">Father O'Sullivan's <i>St. Philomena: the Wonder-Worker</i></a> (her bones were discovered in the 1800s and she lived in ancient Roman times)</li><li style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3PojXOp" target="_blank">de Wohl's <i>A Novel about Saint Helena and the Emperor Constantine</i></a> (another de Wohl novel -- takes place in the later days of the Roman Empire)</li><li style="color: #222222;">And another fictionalized biography for this period we have already read for those who haven't: <a href="https://amzn.to/3zfR9B9" target="_blank">de Wohl's <i>The Spear</i></a></li></ul><div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" style="color: #222222;"></div></div><div><div style="color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222;">Devotional reading through the year, not tied to this year's studies:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="color: #222222;"><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3zlIP3T" target="_blank">St. Michael and the Angels</a> </i>(one of my old favorites, great to start off the year with September and October having so many angelic feast days!)</li><li style="color: #222222;"><i style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3oh1ojc" target="_blank">Sermons from St. Francis de Sales</a></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3oh1ojc" target="_blank"> <i>for Advent and Christmas</i></a> and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3B2ylrt" target="_blank">for Lent</a></i></span></li><li style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3B5KJqs" target="_blank">Lewis' <i>The Screwtape Letters</i></a> (my daughter already read this, so she will read <a href="https://amzn.to/3cuqxUV" target="_blank">Chesterton's <i>The Everlasting Man</i></a> instead)</li><li style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3IRYuei" target="_blank">Fulton Sheen's <i>Life of Christ </i></a>(for Lent)</li><li style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://angeluspress.org/products/the-young-man-of-character" target="_blank">Bishop Toth's </a><i><a href="https://angeluspress.org/products/the-young-man-of-character" target="_blank">The Young Man of Character</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://angeluspress.org/products/christ-and-the-young-man" target="_blank">Christ and the Young Man</a></i> (new books I just got in the mail for my son)</li><li><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3PKVYZN" target="_blank">Mother Mary Francis'<i> A Right to Be Merry</i></a></span><span style="color: #222222;"> and <a href="https://amzn.to/3OilnZr" target="_blank">Fr. Jacques' Philippe's </a></span><i style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3OilnZr" target="_blank">Searching for and Maintaining Peace</a></i><span style="color: #222222;"> (for my daughter)</span></li><li style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3aSoVUN" target="_blank">Father d'Elbee's <i>I Believe in Love</i></a> (after our reading of <i>Story of a Soul</i>)</li></ul></div><div style="color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222;">My kids also wanted some purely catechetical reading, so I went ahead and ordered the classic <a href="https://amzn.to/3aPo7A8" target="_blank">Fr. Laux's <i>Catholic Morality</i></a> and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3OoWZp0" target="_blank">Catholic Apologetics</a></i> for them to work through on Sundays as well. We'll see how far they get!<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />~~~</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">I hope this helps those studying this time period with us this fall!</span><br /><br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">Any wonderful books I should add to the list above? Let me know in the comments!</span><br /><br /></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Amazon links above are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!)</span></i></div></div></div>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-65965005290548538892022-06-09T06:20:00.000-07:002022-06-09T06:20:05.093-07:00{This and That} :: A June UpdateHello friends! Last time I was in this space, I shared about Christmas baking; somehow six months flew by and now it's June. Time for an update...<div><br /></div><div>~~~<br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifH6ZYgrtCQcik0cODlhfsHcNWvKjlYMXa5wGjLnr1jSMcd7yuFZAs_EcxuinKmmMfyrIS23pog88mBMt5Z23VPgwFW8QRug6FrOmUyR84EcpzsHdMSAzXVeGkEvWahtW8XU1rDc5KOk8JX3D0wdQkTOZcIIwBzL-QBfOWwqpL5Nd2a2j5gYLd3yXxPg/s2925/20220408_143214.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2925" data-original-width="2843" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifH6ZYgrtCQcik0cODlhfsHcNWvKjlYMXa5wGjLnr1jSMcd7yuFZAs_EcxuinKmmMfyrIS23pog88mBMt5Z23VPgwFW8QRug6FrOmUyR84EcpzsHdMSAzXVeGkEvWahtW8XU1rDc5KOk8JX3D0wdQkTOZcIIwBzL-QBfOWwqpL5Nd2a2j5gYLd3yXxPg/s320/20220408_143214.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We finished our school year back in April, so have been on break for the past six weeks or so. I always begin summer break with really high hopes for all I will be able to get done. Then about a week or so in, I realize that I still have children to care for, meals to cook, and all the usual life tasks to stay on top of, even if it is a "break." So I have to put my projects in perspective and go through a few iterations of a summer schedule before I find one I am satisfied with.</div><div><br /></div><div>I like to treat each month of our break a little bit differently. So for the last few weeks of April, I finished up my filing for the year, re-shelved books (and got out the books for next year!), made my pre-reading plan for the summer, and met with the kids to set up their summer plans. For example, I added my boys' chess tournaments to the calendar, signed my daughter up for a literature class she really wanted to take, helped kids pull book stacks for free reading, did some catch-up cleaning from those last few weeks of the school year that were so busy, etc. I think of this as launching summer break, not summer break itself -- it helps me feel better about all the effort it takes! </div><div><br /></div><div>We also fit in a good number of fun trips those first few weeks, including the beach and the art museum. And Easter was in April! It was a busy month.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvq_NKz_9osGsxRfP6aa-rebNYXPlQXqSjCI2VqKTUU6cTItPp_H3MK0h8O--wfakR10w9gDtwruhbJnBI0sSLMErgA7LzBCy8X9JGmdtNR0DjTCLnSbHLF6B_N1r9PhbPGCOK7nqabtEfe0z9AnLR6xFkSvjfvDeFTbTuwmj9-fDIhRdUo5fO1xk5A/s1080/IMG_20220504_170146_433.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvq_NKz_9osGsxRfP6aa-rebNYXPlQXqSjCI2VqKTUU6cTItPp_H3MK0h8O--wfakR10w9gDtwruhbJnBI0sSLMErgA7LzBCy8X9JGmdtNR0DjTCLnSbHLF6B_N1r9PhbPGCOK7nqabtEfe0z9AnLR6xFkSvjfvDeFTbTuwmj9-fDIhRdUo5fO1xk5A/s320/IMG_20220504_170146_433.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wKBkONiRMrIfQvk7L80mK5utbgk764k-Jjcf4Zp-Fe1KZwpKKEenJhZDDgrpUbtKwKMhud2kxHgNNkHsaFOnFksQL8oo5STamqwi2PZHHpUn2uZtrMrjjB09TGLkB_sCwo-H_xicvRUEa_OcLOyOM2tL9jw4520ERQ9HXS1dSPQGI2i3QRfne0JNVg/s1080/IMG_20220504_170146_597.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wKBkONiRMrIfQvk7L80mK5utbgk764k-Jjcf4Zp-Fe1KZwpKKEenJhZDDgrpUbtKwKMhud2kxHgNNkHsaFOnFksQL8oo5STamqwi2PZHHpUn2uZtrMrjjB09TGLkB_sCwo-H_xicvRUEa_OcLOyOM2tL9jw4520ERQ9HXS1dSPQGI2i3QRfne0JNVg/s320/IMG_20220504_170146_597.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMF5vyS_wDzr7mYNTeaTXUliIRl76hq3IBk2HYqEyGcGzxgZOOaGofWUt19EhuAXrAtbHmRP3Sfr1PxTFCWhBApTDcFpSKJCueSW7IkeDWrejZi5O1icGXNuIW4AmyNDPCtFf9F0gBv29UWyKDnw2KoTMCCHqI8-iIF9t1F9_twHHTpPipJCy_nAe5ig/s1080/IMG_20220430_113222_112.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1080" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMF5vyS_wDzr7mYNTeaTXUliIRl76hq3IBk2HYqEyGcGzxgZOOaGofWUt19EhuAXrAtbHmRP3Sfr1PxTFCWhBApTDcFpSKJCueSW7IkeDWrejZi5O1icGXNuIW4AmyNDPCtFf9F0gBv29UWyKDnw2KoTMCCHqI8-iIF9t1F9_twHHTpPipJCy_nAe5ig/s320/IMG_20220430_113222_112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFo5yGaS6Yq6dtMzYXz4bgpV5Pnnxt9-Oaiy751oBec6ZGZyHxhM5LnVe5C4mVZDNnNgsTpoxWoU_D6VmYUl6Q5z1tFLtJq6EiwOHF9XqoE3fIEnYrJxTg2SfENZeSDbV2qjLWuEYvu40ODQuGFg-tCmsutl808IeA6aHpXwgmNXTQ5QLt7UyFu9LUAw/s2886/20220417_110354.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2886" data-original-width="2856" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFo5yGaS6Yq6dtMzYXz4bgpV5Pnnxt9-Oaiy751oBec6ZGZyHxhM5LnVe5C4mVZDNnNgsTpoxWoU_D6VmYUl6Q5z1tFLtJq6EiwOHF9XqoE3fIEnYrJxTg2SfENZeSDbV2qjLWuEYvu40ODQuGFg-tCmsutl808IeA6aHpXwgmNXTQ5QLt7UyFu9LUAw/s320/20220417_110354.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAUyzzFSREewYqAfVBXWUZiWcV82DZpeBS5M5WBIuC4KcM0sIZiyCrieO8vgWm3QiwJEgbIDI_qNKsbSE7CsGzwqkG-0ZF2-V-v49Gizf3KLIbhoEsBgDd2TXMx69zaW0Af6vAhrfTjJG04mcnAAylf0D_koQEWtJ7Me49-jwuPAbArUP_4tneQBTig/s2798/20220417_112807.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2755" data-original-width="2798" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAUyzzFSREewYqAfVBXWUZiWcV82DZpeBS5M5WBIuC4KcM0sIZiyCrieO8vgWm3QiwJEgbIDI_qNKsbSE7CsGzwqkG-0ZF2-V-v49Gizf3KLIbhoEsBgDd2TXMx69zaW0Af6vAhrfTjJG04mcnAAylf0D_koQEWtJ7Me49-jwuPAbArUP_4tneQBTig/s320/20220417_112807.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Then in May, we set up a schedule and some goals for the month. One thing that has helped us all stay on track: I decided to continue with Weekly Meetings through the summer. With so many kids to manage, this has helped my life feel more manageable. Basically I have a short (5-10 minute) meeting with each of my older kids and any of my younger kids that have a request. We do coffee and cookies just like during the school year (though we may swap to something like lemonade once it gets really hot!). It's a time for me to handle any small things that have come up over the course of the week -- books they want me to request from the library, reminders about upcoming events, questions about projects, etc. Having these collected into just one day a week has made my mind feel a lot clearer, and my kids like knowing I will have time to chat if they want it.</div><div><br /></div><div>~~~</div><div><br /></div><div>Another big help this summer has been Cate's Preschool!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQP_bLZScKjOBjaC8002yXAmrKXqauvE18QYihgK5BtR9W_jt6ncBuBW0ZNzElJCiHyJr64ctH5mmqOsl30UFbs7LgKXBzdbBsv1-T4vKrAY46Jouk4FBBoE6_KmEhC5MUIm1aAwrO-JJLSXc6XKc5Jp2MUs7pZWRUYVs56KyTygs6kkjjg1jw0IZig/s3784/20220507_110038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2634" data-original-width="3784" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQP_bLZScKjOBjaC8002yXAmrKXqauvE18QYihgK5BtR9W_jt6ncBuBW0ZNzElJCiHyJr64ctH5mmqOsl30UFbs7LgKXBzdbBsv1-T4vKrAY46Jouk4FBBoE6_KmEhC5MUIm1aAwrO-JJLSXc6XKc5Jp2MUs7pZWRUYVs56KyTygs6kkjjg1jw0IZig/s320/20220507_110038.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>On weekends when my husband is off with the boys at their chess tournaments, I hire Catherine to spend two hours with the youngest four (ages 8, 6, 4, and 2) doing some fun activities. She draws a timetable up on the white board and then executes -- all on her own. It usually involves her reading aloud a chapter from their current novel, drawing time, work on a sewing project, singing games, picture books, an Italian game, folksong singing, etc. In the meantime, I spend the two hours working in my bedroom. I only have a few rules for her: everyone has to be included, everyone has to be happy-ish, and no one can ask me any questions. ;) It is going wonderfully and she is now asking if she can do "preschool" with them more often. I think I will have her do a daily block with them the last week of this month when I'm ready to tackle some more of our school planning.</div><div><br /></div><div>~~~</div><div><br /></div><div>One of these days I will have to round up {What We're Reading} like I used to, but for now, I thought I would highlight three books I have enjoyed lately...</div><div><br /></div><div>During my morning prayer time I have been rereading <i>Counsels of Perfection for Christian Mothers</i> by Fr. Lejeune. I forgot how good a book this is! It covers in a basic way the spiritual life for mothers. It has helped me build back some fruitful habits and rework some elements of my routine to strengthen my interior life. (<a href="https://amzn.to/3Q6PHsp" target="_blank">This copy</a> is a really nice hardcover reprint with a pretty cover and nice readable font. There are a few annoying typos here and there, but they do not detract from the meaning at all.)</div><div><br /></div><div>My older kids will be reading <i>Uncle Tom's Cabin</i> this year as we study the Civil War. I had read selections in college but had never read it in its entirety, so it was one of the first big novels I picked up this summer. I found it enthralling as a historical document and painfully touching as a story. You see quite clearly Stowe's biases, but you also see a certain fierceness and fortitude that I found moving and admirable. It speaks to a very specific time and place, but it also speaks to our day in surprising ways -- and it offers an interesting example of a persuasive argument that I know my older students will want to analyze. A very difficult but worthy read. Some local friends and I will be discussing it next week for our little book club. (<a href="https://amzn.to/3aFqEfB" target="_blank">This copy</a> has original illustrations and a pleasing typeset -- I recommend it. Just be aware it does not censor the n-word and is unabridged.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3xAvtzZ">Bruchac's </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3xAvtzZ">Sacajawea</a> </i>was my other first novel of the summer, which my Form 2 and 3 kids will be reading next year with the CMEC. In telling the story of Lewis, Clark, and Sacajawea; the chapters go back and forth between perspectives; sometimes I find this jarring in novels, but here I found it made a enjoyable and intriguing combination. Bruchac did careful research for the book, and it shows -- the characters are brought to life beautifully and respectfully. There are a few difficult moments, so I would be cautious giving this to a sensitive young reader, but otherwise, it makes a great companion to or replacement for Daugherty's <i>Of Courage</i> <i>Undaunted</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>~~~</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTC8a-Na5NzsTDZ4BRqjkIHUOGYAzqh80bGgtNEYlRWEwEQuZFZ6D4OB28WWkOzZ-gisr9zUXCcl2o0139Y3auWZH3qeFpp2EkEbE5q_g-9qM4dsbr_rs9R4-OXz7KojxmYkVsms7J1li-kJ_wAYUY-grdco5c05BkafWXq-zICRNoLDoq4G2VqMIAg/s2748/IMG_20220512_112458_948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2748" data-original-width="2748" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTC8a-Na5NzsTDZ4BRqjkIHUOGYAzqh80bGgtNEYlRWEwEQuZFZ6D4OB28WWkOzZ-gisr9zUXCcl2o0139Y3auWZH3qeFpp2EkEbE5q_g-9qM4dsbr_rs9R4-OXz7KojxmYkVsms7J1li-kJ_wAYUY-grdco5c05BkafWXq-zICRNoLDoq4G2VqMIAg/s320/IMG_20220512_112458_948.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I wanted to let you know of a couple places I'll be speaking this summer:</div><div><br /></div><div>The <a href="https://www.thecmec.org/event-4735841" target="_blank">CMEC Summer Retreat</a> is back! We will be meeting at the beautiful Merion Tribute House outside Philadelphia on July 11-12 to consider "Our Constant Joy: Truth, Beauty, and Goodness in Home and School." There are just a few spots left, so if you'd like to attend, be sure to sign up soon. We are hoping to offer this year's retreat as a package for sale, <a href="https://www.thecmec.org/CMECRetreats" target="_blank">like we have in the past</a>. So if you can't make it to Philly this summer but are interested in learning more, keep an eye out for that coming later this summer/early fall. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will be speaking about artist study, composer study, and notebooks, and I am learning so much through my research -- as well as pulling together some of our family's "best practices" that I have always wanted to share in a more thorough way.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also have pre-recorded an brief "Introduction to Charlotte Mason" for <a href="https://catholichomeschoolconference.com/" target="_blank">the Catholic Homeschool Conference</a> happening this weekend -- with registration closing today! If you will be attending, I hope you'll look for my talk, "Educating Persons." And if you have Catholic friends interested in learning more about the Mason approach, encourage them to check it out as well!</div><div><br /></div><div>(Speaking of the CMEC, registration is currently open for the 2022-23 School Year! We have two live chats scheduled in June: one for community learning and one about summer planning. You can find all the details at <a href="https://www.thecmec.org/">our website</a> and request our Information Packet to learn more. I also plan to give the Fall Mini-Retreat this October, which is free for members, either in person in Philly or broadcasted live online to watch from home!)</div><div><br /></div></div><div>~~~</div><div><br /></div><div>Some of my projects this summer, besides working on my retreat talks:</div><div><br /></div><div>Thinking through college visits (how did we get here?!) and prepping for the SAT</div><div>Editing Gianna's second novel (hoping to get it out this fall!)</div><div>Lots of pre-reading!</div><div>Building our swimming skills (see goggles below!)</div><div>Organizing the garage and decluttering the bookshelves</div><div><br /></div><div>And my littles keep me so busy: plotting out a delightful Kinderleben year for this guy (on the far left) and running after this sweetheart on the right!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kSyJOlBBP8KVwko9AmMLVJCPPUTPWZRZQSbvocIoX2fH2LURRvkJmxinRyAjotPml133VL3zhF75LKXU9yQkqHHAnTHz6nqKijD535g1GBAXjaxUEBkDPczFjc-z_voUaek8-EfCYJTubkwD2w-6m2rk98D5B0NLJ9nQxXDPxGJU4zoQFizx0_O0RA/s3542/20220520_171651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2878" data-original-width="3542" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kSyJOlBBP8KVwko9AmMLVJCPPUTPWZRZQSbvocIoX2fH2LURRvkJmxinRyAjotPml133VL3zhF75LKXU9yQkqHHAnTHz6nqKijD535g1GBAXjaxUEBkDPczFjc-z_voUaek8-EfCYJTubkwD2w-6m2rk98D5B0NLJ9nQxXDPxGJU4zoQFizx0_O0RA/s320/20220520_171651.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-cfrObqwD28DfPr5ij1aDejCei9qUqdGQtnC9JFKIzmMIy7ks5c7HtCq2wLXkUSbGyRpWTZNOZUoxFd2KSlV3O4XZqwi83v2DZYpY5BWXuVtFqfROKOxgSGkWn7cfxtiIrtigr6Okr6BZJTHK0eoZOdCUetbaAj5hs4UBH2qRlXwMdya3fhWS9iGsQ/s2484/20220418_095001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2484" data-original-width="2145" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-cfrObqwD28DfPr5ij1aDejCei9qUqdGQtnC9JFKIzmMIy7ks5c7HtCq2wLXkUSbGyRpWTZNOZUoxFd2KSlV3O4XZqwi83v2DZYpY5BWXuVtFqfROKOxgSGkWn7cfxtiIrtigr6Okr6BZJTHK0eoZOdCUetbaAj5hs4UBH2qRlXwMdya3fhWS9iGsQ/w277-h320/20220418_095001.jpg" width="277" /></a></div></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>~~~</div><div><br /></div><div>So what are you up to this summer? Will I see you in Philadelphia, or will YOU see ME (ha!) at The Catholic Homeschool Conference? Do you have any advice for college visits? (We're looking for a college that's super friendly to traditional Catholics.)</div><div><br /></div><div>And I'll have to come back with a recap of our school year. It was a great year.</div>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-13420335117522322032021-12-20T06:34:00.000-08:002021-12-20T06:34:04.931-08:00Sweet Treats for Christmastime<p>I don't do a ton of baking for holidays, but I do have a few tried-and-true recipes that are always on our list. Below are five treats I make every year without fail.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgieT6p7GSoM7Y22PtDWymw_r97Slq8dKv52e5sfiGI7Ow38_1tl3HBw987uuqLqOLCN70I0qQWSyPhxP2JF49uF75GsfmFtAt1uudLY_p1zB4NPvIqa0YO863NckXaT6EKQjJE86pamQLPnD_qDi5RESht69fRqoobeNL7uNwnnz5bcmG_-yPrksbCog=s2958" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2958" data-original-width="2958" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgieT6p7GSoM7Y22PtDWymw_r97Slq8dKv52e5sfiGI7Ow38_1tl3HBw987uuqLqOLCN70I0qQWSyPhxP2JF49uF75GsfmFtAt1uudLY_p1zB4NPvIqa0YO863NckXaT6EKQjJE86pamQLPnD_qDi5RESht69fRqoobeNL7uNwnnz5bcmG_-yPrksbCog=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><b>1. Knock-Off Cranberry Bliss Bars</b></p><p>This is a Starbucks copycat recipe and always gets rave reviews from friends and neighbors. After misplacing my mom's recipe, I pulled together a variety of online versions and combined them to make my own favorite. I always make a double batch (two 9x13 pans) on St. Lucy's Day -- I frost one for our St. Lucy's tea, and put the other unfrosted pan in the freezer to pull out and frost for Christmas.</p><p>Cake:</p>3/4 c. (1.5 sticks) butter, softened<br />1 1/4 c. light brown sugar, packed<br />2 eggs<br />1 t. ground ginger<br />1 1/2 t. vanilla extract<br />1/2 t. salt<br />1 1/2 c. flour<br />1/2 t. baking powder<br />3/4 c. chopped sweetened dried cranberries<div>6 oz. white chocolate chips<p>Frosting:</p></div>4 ounces softened cream cheese<br />1.5 c. powdered sugar<br />4 T. butter, softened<br />1 t. vanilla<br />1 T. orange juice<div>1 T. orange zest<div><p>Toppings:</p></div></div>1/4 c. chopped dried cranberries<br />1/3 c. white chocolate chips + 1 T. vegetable oil<div><p>Preheat the oven to 350. Make cake by beating the butter and brown sugar together with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the eggs, ginger, vanilla, and salt, and beat well. Gradually mix in the flour and baking powder until smooth. Mix the chopped dried cranberries and white chocolate into the batter by hand. Pour the batter into greased 9x13 pan (I line with foil also). It will be sticky, so spread the batter evenly across the pan with a wet spatula or hands. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until lightly browned on top. Allow to cool completely.</p><p>Mix together frosting ingredients with electric mixer. Once cake is cooled, spread frosting evenly over cake.</p><p>Sprinkle on 1/4 c. chopped dried cranberries.</p><p>Melt 1/3 c. white chocolate chips with 1T. oil on low heat in microwave, stirring frequently, until smooth. Drizzle over top of bars.</p><p>Let cake chill in the fridge for a couple hours. Cut into squares; then cut each square in half to make triangles. Store in fridge and serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.</p><div><b>2. Gingersnaps</b></div><p>This is my mom's recipe for not-too-sweet, gingery gingersnaps. I love that they stay a little soft in the middle but firm up around the edges. They freeze very well also.</p>2 c. flour<br />1 c. sugar<br />1/4 c. light molasses<br />1 egg, beaten<br />1 T. baking powder<br />1 t. ground cloves<br />1 t. ground cinnamon<br />1.5 t. ground ginger<br />1/4 t. salt<br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote>3/4 c. (1.5 sticks) butter, room temperature<div>1/3 c. sugar, for rolling<p>Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift dry ingredients into bowl and set aside. Using mixer, cream butter with 1 c. sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in molasses and egg. Add sifted dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Cover and refrigerate dough at least one hour (can be done a day ahead). Using 1 T. per cookie, form dough into balls. Roll balls in 1/3 c. sugar. Arrange on ungreased cookie sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake until cookies are light browned around edges, about 12 minutes. Transfer to rack and cool completely; cookies will crisp as they cool.</p><p><b>3. Peppermint Chocolate Cookies</b></p><p>This is a recent addition that is now a family favorite. Unfortunately, my husband isn't a peppermint fan, so the kids and I have these all to ourselves. ;) They would make a great addition to a pretty cookie platter. Last year I dipped them in regular melted chocolate rather than white and used sprinkles rather than candy cane crumbs. Recipe <a href="https://www.cookingclassy.com/white-chocolate-dipped-peppermint-chocolate-cookies/" target="_blank">here at Cooking Classy</a>!</p><p><b>4. Sugar Cookies</b></p><p>This is our family's go-to sugar cookie recipe. We make them year round, but during Christmas, we add festive sprinkles. You could also frost them, but they are plenty sweet without. <a href="https://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/best-soft-and-chewy-sugar-cookies/" target="_blank">Recipe here at Life Love and Sugar</a>. Just a couple notes: we make 1 T. balls and cook about 9 minutes, though be sure not to overbake! They do firm up when cooled. We also don't worry too much about overmixing -- we combine everything with the mixer and I can't notice any difference.</p><p><b>5. Last, a breakfast treat: Ina Garten's Easy Cheese Danishes</b></p><p>I have made these for Christmas and Easter brunch for at least a decade. Surprisingly easy and so tasty. I love sweet breakfast foods that pair well with coffee -- this is a winner! It's also simple enough that you could make it for brunch anytime, not just for the holidays. <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/easy-cheese-danish-recipe-1946520" target="_blank">Recipe here at Food Network</a>.</p><p>~~~</p><p>Before I go: are you looking for some gifts for the bakers in your life, or items to add to your own Christmas list? I love my <a href="https://amzn.to/3J3Rgnk" target="_blank">ceramic 9x11 dishes</a> and my <a href="https://amzn.to/3FeoTk7" target="_blank">silicone baking mats</a>. I also could not do without my <a href="https://amzn.to/3yHMc34" target="_blank">gigantic cookie sheet</a> -- I measured my oven and bought the biggest one that could fit. I use it almost daily! It cleans up well and is thicker than other pans I have purchased.</p><p>As my children get older and more helpful in the kitchen, I find I'm branching more each year. What are your very favorite Christmas treat recipes? Leave a recipe or link below and I'll let my girls sort through to find some new treats to try!</p></div></div>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-77771869016507386392021-12-01T06:18:00.003-08:002021-12-01T06:59:25.179-08:00{This and That} :: December 1st<p>Hello friends! Are you enjoying the start of December? With Thanksgiving past, Advent present, and Christmas to come, it's one of my favorite "seasons" of the year!</p><p>We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving that I took literally zero photos of. How is that possible?! Thanksgiving Friday we were able to go to Mass and visit the graves of family members for All Souls' Day/month. It's always so striking to see children at a cemetery -- a good reminder of both the mortality of the body and the immortality of the soul.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGYur2bsC8VQTQOVdLx-tkIoCYM7ToKn15PORcUbQnrhZ3wzl8NPCKGt8ELimSrr8NP5duNGPppgWxaXIql3eUuEVI5QfVloi3aa5OdjOVD_zpA4i6jYvjRB-Nvii65igjysrw-OiVEJv/s4032/20211126_081102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGYur2bsC8VQTQOVdLx-tkIoCYM7ToKn15PORcUbQnrhZ3wzl8NPCKGt8ELimSrr8NP5duNGPppgWxaXIql3eUuEVI5QfVloi3aa5OdjOVD_zpA4i6jYvjRB-Nvii65igjysrw-OiVEJv/w400-h300/20211126_081102.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>~~~</p><p>Advent is such a holy time of the year. I love how the preparation we must do in our homes and for our families becomes a metaphor for spiritual preparation. And I love the time for reflection and the hope of a new year to come.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPV-LRR4pYb3TQTazBmbgk2swRv_O8DeAxvtZUZsy7S7FQbThnkearJd_mQDsibqGTPR5Uz9bLh2iEEbMeVgNKW7urhQRukZZJCkNAH7rUcDU8IgbueXplhb1tgUCa7OIO13iMohWcUN38/s1080/IMG_20211128_122441_397.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPV-LRR4pYb3TQTazBmbgk2swRv_O8DeAxvtZUZsy7S7FQbThnkearJd_mQDsibqGTPR5Uz9bLh2iEEbMeVgNKW7urhQRukZZJCkNAH7rUcDU8IgbueXplhb1tgUCa7OIO13iMohWcUN38/w200-h200/IMG_20211128_122441_397.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pimrEAqTcUB-1DyKDl-e4haVrHqWUYQ_KBFGO2O9GnPa-KpfnLlqACyJuqqeFvkAmU2kit7DHY49161-pMNfXCTq32vK5-vZVebicn5R6PlMUH62zegcoL94YvPjf2GvsSUK9GXo3-dg/s1080/IMG_20211128_122441_404.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pimrEAqTcUB-1DyKDl-e4haVrHqWUYQ_KBFGO2O9GnPa-KpfnLlqACyJuqqeFvkAmU2kit7DHY49161-pMNfXCTq32vK5-vZVebicn5R6PlMUH62zegcoL94YvPjf2GvsSUK9GXo3-dg/w200-h200/IMG_20211128_122441_404.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div></div><div><br /></div>I realized that I only have two Advents left after this before my older children are in college or out living their lives! That humbling thought brought home the idea of preparation in a new way for me this year.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAFSziktbSwKQURW8rPUUqqnEd3abrS-Rgjva8Eh5u2aFoFsFOipl8J-UdmysN69xUmL1bgjpbomxpSxhZjCEkETcKw5oXVFHxFPDlg4ckJquTYR0q9Z-96PUHLjvJznE-RlkRY78xneo/s1080/IMG_20211128_122441_408.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAFSziktbSwKQURW8rPUUqqnEd3abrS-Rgjva8Eh5u2aFoFsFOipl8J-UdmysN69xUmL1bgjpbomxpSxhZjCEkETcKw5oXVFHxFPDlg4ckJquTYR0q9Z-96PUHLjvJznE-RlkRY78xneo/s320/IMG_20211128_122441_408.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>I am reading <a href="https://amzn.to/3dasSl2" target="_blank">Houselander's <i>Reed of God</i></a> and thinking about <i>L'Umile Pianta</i>, or the humble plant, as we have been discussing over at the CMEC this fall. We have also been talking about the "habit of attention" as demonstrated by Our Lady. The "serenity of the Madonna" (as Mason calls it) is such a powerful posture for the mother-teacher. Fruitful connections between life and lessons for me to ponder this Advent!</p><p>~~~</p><p>Justin celebrated his sixth birthday this month! He got his own <i><a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/tbg-songbook-2021-22" target="_blank">TBG Songbook</a></i>, which he loves using for singing, recitation, and writing. And as you can see in the photo on the right, he lost his two front teeth in the last two weeks -- just in time for Christmas. ;)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JC-xdkoI_MOv1NO4wWs0HLFisr5YfHv_UqXZDuwZKltjCtnThWrXThnM5wF844s5AWC1d-MkS4G-PRUKMfmXVoADKFkuFmDoY2w-FOO7sSKeMOg6dmHmqKtHLQnlKyoCr4dWeYrNIgF9/s3359/IMG_20211110_073443_460.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3359" data-original-width="2893" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JC-xdkoI_MOv1NO4wWs0HLFisr5YfHv_UqXZDuwZKltjCtnThWrXThnM5wF844s5AWC1d-MkS4G-PRUKMfmXVoADKFkuFmDoY2w-FOO7sSKeMOg6dmHmqKtHLQnlKyoCr4dWeYrNIgF9/w276-h320/IMG_20211110_073443_460.jpg" width="276" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHb9MTGwzWhmIBgqGVBvHdu_ypLs3nUgS6mAZyVCCl7UQpu5l623MNMs0iw6bic9kd9bS9Zhvt8MDhig3gN_VZpPh5goP3jdHIBx7vr_GS_MyDp4DUzcg-F4fS3xt_zNYiHDDpzzUOac8/s3744/20211129_125535.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3744" data-original-width="2929" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHb9MTGwzWhmIBgqGVBvHdu_ypLs3nUgS6mAZyVCCl7UQpu5l623MNMs0iw6bic9kd9bS9Zhvt8MDhig3gN_VZpPh5goP3jdHIBx7vr_GS_MyDp4DUzcg-F4fS3xt_zNYiHDDpzzUOac8/s320/20211129_125535.jpg" width="250" /></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRo_sFe43ivA0cZ3ov4Y2p9lAu7qGm9X7eofd-seoPIVxnXCIE7YRsSC5G57dOrNe6enPgbZEqfCx45jpZu3IttZUIJRfxh1u9EDj_mZyZ5-5mqxaJxDpOYcW_qiFqHuYC1nOxB-lZZPF/s4032/20211107_130909.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRo_sFe43ivA0cZ3ov4Y2p9lAu7qGm9X7eofd-seoPIVxnXCIE7YRsSC5G57dOrNe6enPgbZEqfCx45jpZu3IttZUIJRfxh1u9EDj_mZyZ5-5mqxaJxDpOYcW_qiFqHuYC1nOxB-lZZPF/w400-h300/20211107_130909.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I love this picture of him napping by the fire. So cozy, and so <i>him</i>! He loves to cuddle.</p><p>~~~</p><p>Some snaps from our exam celebration in October...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYVA1hABq34_kr6kAS9KlQaiXLJ-GlW_7Ii8YjFWQOxHEzWwxxcR3h3oHRUmLM_RpV3SUEQQomoLQTMD21DIzKvGnfID9SV-SueWhxMB_aMQgNo8GCs0K-svL6AaU0Uxsr5-V1QORBVm9/s3590/20211030_144823.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2801" data-original-width="3590" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYVA1hABq34_kr6kAS9KlQaiXLJ-GlW_7Ii8YjFWQOxHEzWwxxcR3h3oHRUmLM_RpV3SUEQQomoLQTMD21DIzKvGnfID9SV-SueWhxMB_aMQgNo8GCs0K-svL6AaU0Uxsr5-V1QORBVm9/w400-h313/20211030_144823.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Fwubck2Rdo6Qsizpc8vG1GGDoyHuajO2e6kquOXff51X1y1zORN0L2uhz-b0MO5enTkzW2m-D2VPfXsSugCfqPp47tB3g1-8FB-lZtJG7nXSznuml2-raKagth3IUJ7NgE7-JX_UXS6k/s3602/20211030_144718.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2775" data-original-width="3602" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Fwubck2Rdo6Qsizpc8vG1GGDoyHuajO2e6kquOXff51X1y1zORN0L2uhz-b0MO5enTkzW2m-D2VPfXsSugCfqPp47tB3g1-8FB-lZtJG7nXSznuml2-raKagth3IUJ7NgE7-JX_UXS6k/w400-h309/20211030_144718.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWngyq6-5w6DKSaokVgaFT2i3k8mrlIQMOuMZgRSXrbOwvwHk8L8BLrBwJ04poW3oxvER4pp2ciJAm-JTbby0xYr1mRCB7-3fBCRooySBEyoOwlS13aZhmUenfAp3eITmCKrPNqUZd2hn/s3457/20211030_144810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2704" data-original-width="3457" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWngyq6-5w6DKSaokVgaFT2i3k8mrlIQMOuMZgRSXrbOwvwHk8L8BLrBwJ04poW3oxvER4pp2ciJAm-JTbby0xYr1mRCB7-3fBCRooySBEyoOwlS13aZhmUenfAp3eITmCKrPNqUZd2hn/w400-h313/20211030_144810.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkeainNsACkXozsN0AlcP8W8kArCsou1oekeVp-Nz5QGjOsZ1CI6HyYYIgfzf5NIWNnN_4cm54TezKWNlh_SUiTwBqubpWgv2Z-81hExoa0C3wkuCDJZCam2oLx5P0m1RoUB7mb4SMyr8/s3684/20211030_144814.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2543" data-original-width="3684" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkeainNsACkXozsN0AlcP8W8kArCsou1oekeVp-Nz5QGjOsZ1CI6HyYYIgfzf5NIWNnN_4cm54TezKWNlh_SUiTwBqubpWgv2Z-81hExoa0C3wkuCDJZCam2oLx5P0m1RoUB7mb4SMyr8/w400-h276/20211030_144814.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPguQF9y19OjopX49QaK27TcxJebALSTdNB0R7Xx5fMukDN7RvCxgirjFqLn7RoF6WfRonl7MtEdcd5e086IbevT8_HCQbtLcW8ya9Rk3i8wGbwquE4JggDmXjK5Ru7HfNmHRVwVDmLPbS/s3845/20211030_144756.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2376" data-original-width="3845" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPguQF9y19OjopX49QaK27TcxJebALSTdNB0R7Xx5fMukDN7RvCxgirjFqLn7RoF6WfRonl7MtEdcd5e086IbevT8_HCQbtLcW8ya9Rk3i8wGbwquE4JggDmXjK5Ru7HfNmHRVwVDmLPbS/w400-h248/20211030_144756.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fnD4n8PNBcjiOJyKRadD_hVCeb0adDFYTdP1_H4pl0fzjG6hGmT3LSGqJn6-tmC4vfHnCBRDcF3OQMreGVeOb07QEO18RQIuxPg7XphrN0tiOhsCWvyA37efUeGVItJaDkY2hEYiLSj7/s3530/20211030_144827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2806" data-original-width="3530" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fnD4n8PNBcjiOJyKRadD_hVCeb0adDFYTdP1_H4pl0fzjG6hGmT3LSGqJn6-tmC4vfHnCBRDcF3OQMreGVeOb07QEO18RQIuxPg7XphrN0tiOhsCWvyA37efUeGVItJaDkY2hEYiLSj7/w400-h318/20211030_144827.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93J6-S0KCC1at0xHSS8-oS9cgHCHbw45jW1gUHv5LtFADdot9L9Lm2aKstZW_x4B9-OkqOLNM1mZkdadJ3X_3n7OydrN5KH2lrc3q2OT4QceXhyDzpHUXX1q_hcw1aH7KOGcxaJK_Ptvb/s3300/20211030_144655.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2515" data-original-width="3300" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93J6-S0KCC1at0xHSS8-oS9cgHCHbw45jW1gUHv5LtFADdot9L9Lm2aKstZW_x4B9-OkqOLNM1mZkdadJ3X_3n7OydrN5KH2lrc3q2OT4QceXhyDzpHUXX1q_hcw1aH7KOGcxaJK_Ptvb/w400-h305/20211030_144655.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>~~~</p><p>And now we are currently in the second half of our second term! (I divide each 10-week term into two 5-week sessions for my planning.) That means we're right at the halfway point in our school year, which is hard to believe.</p><p>Work from the past couple weeks...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7rEIS6jHjXAAUUzoYCvQ8rt3laXBFaSkhBlgsSGbHB7jLMR6ClXGQvbfyVhTRlsCmo2TuQ44TQrwtD3V9YlAzSwylshB6xbEOTWORtyitUcFdtC-YEQeGwVy1Woq08J_pgU9ulTndGQ9/s3776/20211123_101629.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="3776" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7rEIS6jHjXAAUUzoYCvQ8rt3laXBFaSkhBlgsSGbHB7jLMR6ClXGQvbfyVhTRlsCmo2TuQ44TQrwtD3V9YlAzSwylshB6xbEOTWORtyitUcFdtC-YEQeGwVy1Woq08J_pgU9ulTndGQ9/s320/20211123_101629.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">kingfisher from <i>Burgess Bird Book</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBt-7RY_WyNzyUhzZDZQrkb78Zic7gCe4n2pHgylPk-mhJHC21Jl7H43ih1gdU2VZtsEvfRA3LLwq2EzAxRdiPskXjNzVt0kyLUw_new38okpKRMsedxFHhQaJFs21BJdlcptgIELp3jQu/s4032/20211122_091709.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBt-7RY_WyNzyUhzZDZQrkb78Zic7gCe4n2pHgylPk-mhJHC21Jl7H43ih1gdU2VZtsEvfRA3LLwq2EzAxRdiPskXjNzVt0kyLUw_new38okpKRMsedxFHhQaJFs21BJdlcptgIELp3jQu/s320/20211122_091709.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Form 1 Bible narrations</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8m0IkQLskuUEG7KnikcjFcH2LYF7y5LDl2yw_qZU3SxRhZ7EsXvApmQxFhkUhIXsvHxHGDlB1W2IvrRD5Q8IRLHOEJqVFossQffFMnvfaDuY5WK90TeOzYzPS9LOWIydv90IptUTLMS8I/s4031/20211118_101317.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="4031" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8m0IkQLskuUEG7KnikcjFcH2LYF7y5LDl2yw_qZU3SxRhZ7EsXvApmQxFhkUhIXsvHxHGDlB1W2IvrRD5Q8IRLHOEJqVFossQffFMnvfaDuY5WK90TeOzYzPS9LOWIydv90IptUTLMS8I/s320/20211118_101317.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">grammar lessons with my Form 2B student</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqx2cbBr6tcLgiW293bGPRekykZ3WgpMe_M6U7UHBG8qw_trQsssstJnLun5M0ezJQZ4hxtBhlR0qdAOf1tfilgTq6Hfp2GwzvVh9kfcNRDRIR_jGyvmA5FZl6DvMVHbDGpzEuFu0Je0E/s4032/20211116_092537.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqx2cbBr6tcLgiW293bGPRekykZ3WgpMe_M6U7UHBG8qw_trQsssstJnLun5M0ezJQZ4hxtBhlR0qdAOf1tfilgTq6Hfp2GwzvVh9kfcNRDRIR_jGyvmA5FZl6DvMVHbDGpzEuFu0Je0E/s320/20211116_092537.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">demonstrating the Pythagorean theorem</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AavzyXKbQHdaVlDqo1HnpPUY8LSSaaWYLsIp24P_wbVC8i1fLde8U_3GLPgxyJKzwh5GRacKkjuvRT1sG6h8hq2lX4xn0pGwqi5q-jYBkxJNlfX98m6h38iq2sbK6pq61UWuH0OMQin9/s4032/20211105_140401.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AavzyXKbQHdaVlDqo1HnpPUY8LSSaaWYLsIp24P_wbVC8i1fLde8U_3GLPgxyJKzwh5GRacKkjuvRT1sG6h8hq2lX4xn0pGwqi5q-jYBkxJNlfX98m6h38iq2sbK6pq61UWuH0OMQin9/s320/20211105_140401.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kinderleben monograms</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYIZhwpaVT_D1g_Jhgdg-ks_xX2gaIrY-gmZX1LKX8grIdM8_rMAvpNTfObmtjHaw57R3_EoYl2DWhYmdoifRWhMBB7R7v553aacgRomWr2_jRJ_-K5aP1eRBMd8jrLbsCUU59kzIUJLB/s3915/20211104_124931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3915" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYIZhwpaVT_D1g_Jhgdg-ks_xX2gaIrY-gmZX1LKX8grIdM8_rMAvpNTfObmtjHaw57R3_EoYl2DWhYmdoifRWhMBB7R7v553aacgRomWr2_jRJ_-K5aP1eRBMd8jrLbsCUU59kzIUJLB/s320/20211104_124931.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">table work</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAV0SKb4XhuD25uQhB0z2VPSpm46UaAnHS81tkInzTPpFxPfSQwv3-ygigsQslfamCrsvVImBBrfVfl55W4VSL1-2zX3sCIY1ZrmtPRicqrSG5SKUpm95zGlxzZ1n2y7I-iGsSikZ-gJa/s2975/20211101_111603.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2399" data-original-width="2975" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAV0SKb4XhuD25uQhB0z2VPSpm46UaAnHS81tkInzTPpFxPfSQwv3-ygigsQslfamCrsvVImBBrfVfl55W4VSL1-2zX3sCIY1ZrmtPRicqrSG5SKUpm95zGlxzZ1n2y7I-iGsSikZ-gJa/s320/20211101_111603.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">chalk drawing lessons</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82Dpg04amG2pf_XxlLPdZqtq-9d6jcAt0rBfyOQz93IW8nfniFWgHCPZi2HAbs2U8Lu8RgeQRvTlk7kKQO5FEi2kjdKdiAUppO8YBIQHSqne_9D7TsRdojOfFYH9yo4nUHZbDLprHKuQ1/s4032/20211108_125607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82Dpg04amG2pf_XxlLPdZqtq-9d6jcAt0rBfyOQz93IW8nfniFWgHCPZi2HAbs2U8Lu8RgeQRvTlk7kKQO5FEi2kjdKdiAUppO8YBIQHSqne_9D7TsRdojOfFYH9yo4nUHZbDLprHKuQ1/s320/20211108_125607.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">clay modeling - snakes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83ECtJOgDZxweb40ChKyskgmkzjJmcXddsPznHUb1TdTd-Z1yizTKhgGF50h-CszQckwOsorIL0hZjTDNLS8eTLCsdy6EbmxJNGxqXcfqrm7wu41-MjxM5VwBUjNX_MVOvgKL1N7N0qm_/s4032/20211129_112923.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83ECtJOgDZxweb40ChKyskgmkzjJmcXddsPznHUb1TdTd-Z1yizTKhgGF50h-CszQckwOsorIL0hZjTDNLS8eTLCsdy6EbmxJNGxqXcfqrm7wu41-MjxM5VwBUjNX_MVOvgKL1N7N0qm_/s320/20211129_112923.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">outdoor geography -- and enjoying the fall sunshine!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzTnVsxM5eqqSmhltZCS842y0dlnORyaqdI4EKVp1cnbPfe1Ir01hDKWbRqlgGo8wDaHKuWKRNJAjDTnYeNVk2QaVqY55scM4zu9vmsw8jCT-ii_CTViOgi9WG3yKH7LtQhVsVnnKSlAq/s3577/20211112_103321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2344" data-original-width="3577" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzTnVsxM5eqqSmhltZCS842y0dlnORyaqdI4EKVp1cnbPfe1Ir01hDKWbRqlgGo8wDaHKuWKRNJAjDTnYeNVk2QaVqY55scM4zu9vmsw8jCT-ii_CTViOgi9WG3yKH7LtQhVsVnnKSlAq/s320/20211112_103321.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">final projects for Plutarch and Beesly's <i>Stories from the History of Rome</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>I have to admit, it was a bit hard to get back to things on Monday after the long Thanksgiving weekend and with Christmas break almost in sight -- which is why I am so grateful for our timetable! I just got up and did the "next right thing" and the day flew by.</p><p>~~~</p><p>My goal this year was to finish all the Christmas shopping I could before Thanksgiving, and I succeeded! I really just needed the mental space during Advent to focus on home things and spiritual things.</p><p>If you are looking for gift ideas, I am happy to share a few. (Just don't tell my kids! :))</p><p>:: <a href="https://amzn.to/3cvt4v9" target="_blank">These journals</a> are lovely and seem very durable. They arrived in the mail but I put them aside, so we haven't tried writing on them yet. But they get great reviews and have so many pretty cover options.</p><p>:: <a href="https://amzn.to/3nJ61n3" target="_blank">These small jewelry boxes</a> are going to be perfect for each of my girls to store her own jewelry. (I also grabbed some <a href="https://amzn.to/3o4OS7h" target="_blank">assorted studs</a> for my oldest, who got her ears pierced just a month ago!)</p><p>:: One of my goals for this year was to encourage physical activity and time outdoors. My older boys have started running every morning and are getting <a href="https://amzn.to/3CO4Erv" target="_blank">running socks</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/3CO4T5T" target="_blank">gloves</a>. I also have <a href="https://amzn.to/3FTDlxy" target="_blank">pots</a>, seeds, <a href="https://amzn.to/3d8lrL7" target="_blank">tools</a>, and <a href="https://amzn.to/3x6M8cs" target="_blank">gardening gloves</a> on the way for them! And I grabbed <a href="https://amzn.to/31aG9Yc" target="_blank">scooters </a>at a deep discount for a couple of my middle kids who have outgrown their smaller ones. We love these <a href="https://amzn.to/3E7w3pE" target="_blank">water bottles</a> (totally leak-proof and easy to clean) and needed a couple more for our adventures, and the girls needed new <a href="https://amzn.to/3qSrnjG" target="_blank">warm socks</a> of <a href="https://amzn.to/3kRvpVt" target="_blank">various kinds</a> to wear with their rain boots.</p><p>:: Youngers are getting <a href="https://amzn.to/30EI4nE" target="_blank">frisbees</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/3CDZaz8" target="_blank">socks</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/3HIRT4T">gripper socks</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/3FAz56g" target="_blank">winter gloves</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/3rlTKH2" target="_blank">onesies </a>and <a href="https://amzn.to/3FyQxb1" target="_blank">soft-soled shoes</a>.</p><p>:: A few books on their wish lists: <a href="https://amzn.to/31msIEN" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>The Living Wood</i></span></a> and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3oJfhGZ" target="_blank">The Keeper of the Bees</a> </i>(olders), <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Fxxa2b" target="_blank">Enemy Brothers</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3o4fFjY" target="_blank">The Last Crusader</a> </i>(older middles), <a href="https://amzn.to/3163Pxp" style="font-style: italic;">Snow Treasure</a> and<i> <a href="https://amzn.to/32eDywN" target="_blank">Springtime with Geraldine Woolkins</a> </i>(younger middles)<i>, <a href="https://amzn.to/3cvA0bs" target="_blank">If You Lived Here</a> </i>and<i> <a href="https://amzn.to/3kSUO12" target="_blank">Where is Baby's Belly Button</a> </i>(littles).</p><p>And if you're looking for stocking stuffer ideas, I have lots of little things recommended <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2017/04/this-and-that.html" target="_blank">here</a>. This year, we're doing pajamas all around, peg doll craft kits, and the essentials -- chocolate and oranges, of course!</p><p>And might I recommend my daughter Gianna's novel, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3pzUlmj" target="_blank">Four Red Banners</a></i>, for kids who love a good story? :)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicvCvHVZQ2UuDI7jRZWUWpB-TqvFa-HNNvZjKjs1RCjvWoPsC4IJZ929LvU1iaJIrwCaEPTEqabRMO09dhFCfFD43UEwaSgRldbhWxvGqdkvKW7Wa4QSw46OsBpX2GF552tkEbpAeGmQ2cbCXGsijr1GqItV4UCABSypn3wXmBtIxaeRSEZU2YthUy_w=s3010" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3010" data-original-width="2932" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicvCvHVZQ2UuDI7jRZWUWpB-TqvFa-HNNvZjKjs1RCjvWoPsC4IJZ929LvU1iaJIrwCaEPTEqabRMO09dhFCfFD43UEwaSgRldbhWxvGqdkvKW7Wa4QSw46OsBpX2GF552tkEbpAeGmQ2cbCXGsijr1GqItV4UCABSypn3wXmBtIxaeRSEZU2YthUy_w=w390-h400" width="390" /></a></div><p>What are you gifting this year? I am hoping to get a head start on this year's birthdays during Christmas break and would love fresh ideas.</p><p><i>(Links above are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!)</i></p><p>~~~</p><p>I have a post about our family prayer routine coming soon -- hopefully some time in December. Until then, wishing you a fruitful Advent!</p>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-89811537642668614152021-11-28T16:02:00.000-08:002021-11-28T16:02:10.128-08:00Learning in Community :: Fall 2021<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWn2FG8u_Ue8X11JyH8Xnz70hwSgBKkG_3QgrkEOZzvk1UkG58Qqo4tlm6laRk3bygl5JlcgSs2Zi_CHB6VfmTpNCOjAFG0YBzFNOUlU0y_psxcgj2tVrm15inryb3JGqnfXfJC7RPlfx/s995/IMG_3048.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="995" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWn2FG8u_Ue8X11JyH8Xnz70hwSgBKkG_3QgrkEOZzvk1UkG58Qqo4tlm6laRk3bygl5JlcgSs2Zi_CHB6VfmTpNCOjAFG0YBzFNOUlU0y_psxcgj2tVrm15inryb3JGqnfXfJC7RPlfx/w400-h300/IMG_3048.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>When I first began homeschooling, there were no Charlotte Mason groups in my area, so I decided to start one! I began with a nature club, and for the past ten years, we have been meeting almost every Friday for a walk/hike/meet-up in a wild space of some kind, with time for exploration, nature journaling, and play. A couple years later, we added on a monthly-ish Charlotte Mason study group for those interested. Together we have gone through Mason's volumes and many <i>Parents' Review</i> articles. Over the years, members have come and gone -- some have made different schooling choices, some have moved here and then moved away, and new moms contact me all the time. But the core group of current members are now dear friends. I am really grateful to be home educating alongside them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuy3kxrsqdUO2lBmrToUXlrYU7yuDr8Tbhf_T4qX4tvmcKiAyqYNNOCbTO4ithkLMigaESFpgNRtMY9lLQqlUhw37DmYaAs3odEinFifHmD_yuWNQg3293z8uEkdLb_CLXRm5gZCCyTL4m/s3183/20211112_102612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2699" data-original-width="3183" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuy3kxrsqdUO2lBmrToUXlrYU7yuDr8Tbhf_T4qX4tvmcKiAyqYNNOCbTO4ithkLMigaESFpgNRtMY9lLQqlUhw37DmYaAs3odEinFifHmD_yuWNQg3293z8uEkdLb_CLXRm5gZCCyTL4m/w400-h339/20211112_102612.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This year, we decided to add in a co-op -- it seemed like the right time for many reasons. My kids are older and can really benefit from learning with peers, my husband works from home and is able to watch my littles, and post-Covid, I have seen the real value of community, despite the energy it can take.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxfGHaRgWD7X1cdWaXwe3aXmB7ztjeY1Sq2s8WBhyC36Ii0raAyQY9bSAdhyphenhyphenoAG9u1jScKqoISldRNx052T-rJQuKLpyB658vrJMIVNBGu_kbJbbk2-Sd-pjFbIHu_6JjxmVsYBJYrPzR/s3780/20211015_091708.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2731" data-original-width="3780" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxfGHaRgWD7X1cdWaXwe3aXmB7ztjeY1Sq2s8WBhyC36Ii0raAyQY9bSAdhyphenhyphenoAG9u1jScKqoISldRNx052T-rJQuKLpyB658vrJMIVNBGu_kbJbbk2-Sd-pjFbIHu_6JjxmVsYBJYrPzR/w400-h289/20211015_091708.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>But the biggest push for me was that all of us are now using <a href="https://www.thecmec.org/" target="_blank">the CMEC</a>. Not only does the CMEC offer a lot of support for community learning, but also we are all using the same programs this year, and we all have access to the same resources. This has made planning for cooperative learning super simple!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnnVm9pinIKJ4hcPO6yzFbt46jANMTp-7nhzq-dh0fLkMqTjsg6GLIuLhV86ouvJWh9SosalogrTwNG4Fb2vA-v5cD4PstFl9cz_LcNA4bSOZOox5HoOc1cEZV6naST0mSidxQP9DSyb1/s3063/20211112_102213.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2020" data-original-width="3063" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnnVm9pinIKJ4hcPO6yzFbt46jANMTp-7nhzq-dh0fLkMqTjsg6GLIuLhV86ouvJWh9SosalogrTwNG4Fb2vA-v5cD4PstFl9cz_LcNA4bSOZOox5HoOc1cEZV6naST0mSidxQP9DSyb1/w400-h264/20211112_102213.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>We decided to start small: every other Friday from 9-noon, instead of nature club, we would meet for our co-op. We committed to seven sessions for Fall Term (late August to mid-November). Currently we are on a break for Winter Term, and then we will have another seven sessions for Spring Term (late January to early April).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZ6KBYw6w2rUIfqkWK4pKUBcbOn9QvZka5rSS_WD_5A0AbBFrClCFGV6ACIEwLrGX9j11iUc-xGxapzaAvfJBMH8h4X3bSVetR0wIc-56sL2wX3bMbezZQkBg5rLcaLSf4opvrhLnju4z/s3030/20211112_091526.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2216" data-original-width="3030" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZ6KBYw6w2rUIfqkWK4pKUBcbOn9QvZka5rSS_WD_5A0AbBFrClCFGV6ACIEwLrGX9j11iUc-xGxapzaAvfJBMH8h4X3bSVetR0wIc-56sL2wX3bMbezZQkBg5rLcaLSf4opvrhLnju4z/w400-h293/20211112_091526.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>We have six families, including about twenty school-aged kids plus littles. We have a mix of subjects: some we do all together, and some we split into two groups for (Form 1 and Kinderleben go with one instructor, and Forms 2-5 go with another instructor). There are also a couple moms in charge of managing Littleleben (aka, the babies and toddlers!) while the students are working.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gKtG9YkACXxRzFR8Oj-1roLvBV-Ir5ToxypmCxcEdceUHIBcujyXzKQZdNmwmpM9PeA5INPkGIwxR4vg-prSttkiSeRiBKCgtJna5btXwAepil8LcfJOCDmepPq9aCmx3Bfxx2aT0oRy/s4032/Folk+dancing+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gKtG9YkACXxRzFR8Oj-1roLvBV-Ir5ToxypmCxcEdceUHIBcujyXzKQZdNmwmpM9PeA5INPkGIwxR4vg-prSttkiSeRiBKCgtJna5btXwAepil8LcfJOCDmepPq9aCmx3Bfxx2aT0oRy/w400-h300/Folk+dancing+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Here was our schedule for this fall:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79V0ZaVWW8Nt4z2S0Tr3kulye6sPqmy_QVZzo_MeQZATMBrAeYkeeU6T4cYCLetHQEa_mIOi_uWZ8OZ-x4rp2-LctOfN0urgWigsvfDCVbrhzp7gR2Pz82Z4BWQfIohAZTO1FA8Dn8brp/s833/Co-Op+Timetable+-+Falll+2021.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="769" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79V0ZaVWW8Nt4z2S0Tr3kulye6sPqmy_QVZzo_MeQZATMBrAeYkeeU6T4cYCLetHQEa_mIOi_uWZ8OZ-x4rp2-LctOfN0urgWigsvfDCVbrhzp7gR2Pz82Z4BWQfIohAZTO1FA8Dn8brp/w369-h400/Co-Op+Timetable+-+Falll+2021.JPG" width="369" /></a></div><p></p><p>On the off weeks, families did these same subjects on their own and we met for our regular nature outing on Friday morning. The only lesson that really required families to stay on track at home was Plutarch, since we only covered every other lesson together and we didn't want students to get behind or be confused during class. The rest were fairly flexible, and meeting only every other week allowed us a bit of freedom for each family to have their own school schedule. We used Slack, our communication platform, to share any necessary notes for parents.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJh2w7b2TSp_PrnzwSTmyDktqv-agI9g_RA-SXj6xdUWwx71AlAPHxm2jRnLDLXtM-ONonGnUO3OAeJWAi4EXv4m0GqT9hw4bahBIb18757BMgd3fttlRd3yXVgDG1Q3Se_avw_PtGjci/s3723/20211001_092132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2979" data-original-width="3723" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJh2w7b2TSp_PrnzwSTmyDktqv-agI9g_RA-SXj6xdUWwx71AlAPHxm2jRnLDLXtM-ONonGnUO3OAeJWAi4EXv4m0GqT9hw4bahBIb18757BMgd3fttlRd3yXVgDG1Q3Se_avw_PtGjci/w400-h320/20211001_092132.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Due to Covid restrictions, we met outside all term. Thanks to our nice weather here in California, that worked just fine. We were able to find a great spot at a local community park with plenty of shade, picnic tables, privacy, and not <i>too</i> many distractions. :)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wZVb8Q4KDe4BFhzNNIjjNggFj1AJuv3h6deV_ciiEI_mUI89w28-GLW5hLw0dlPVYmq5lZMuqTavnsNzJj9SXs4oYlvXuAmzdZ68StdKFxiC7DNvDA6odSP4DepG24pLFcqVxrCsv2Ba/s4032/20210910_111908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wZVb8Q4KDe4BFhzNNIjjNggFj1AJuv3h6deV_ciiEI_mUI89w28-GLW5hLw0dlPVYmq5lZMuqTavnsNzJj9SXs4oYlvXuAmzdZ68StdKFxiC7DNvDA6odSP4DepG24pLFcqVxrCsv2Ba/w400-h300/20210910_111908.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>During the optional sharing time at the end for the older kids, we chose a different category each week -- for example, one week they brought their current handicrafts, another they brought notebooks, another they brought board games to play together. On the last week, we had a "book club" discussion of the historical fiction assigned this term, <i>Johnny Tremain</i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejOqrPxgrl55b5f9QUnGh_vecDYVUPm5Ubd6NrXfSypvkGayQjI5EQ4D-aPkZ1yfXmtYuFaIaPWo3sNMutTo0Yx3b2uH-NriPIXO0Nihx3a40AWiQZSRzyQFSEgG1fwjMF9w4hNvMaR3e/s3941/20210924_090412.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2955" data-original-width="3941" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejOqrPxgrl55b5f9QUnGh_vecDYVUPm5Ubd6NrXfSypvkGayQjI5EQ4D-aPkZ1yfXmtYuFaIaPWo3sNMutTo0Yx3b2uH-NriPIXO0Nihx3a40AWiQZSRzyQFSEgG1fwjMF9w4hNvMaR3e/w400-h300/20210924_090412.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Our seventh and final meeting was a fall celebration. The students performed their songs and folk dances, recited poems, played singing games, and showcased final projects for Plutarch and fairy tales. We finished with a potluck lunch and plenty of time to play.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJx_ZEi2CWhirm5hudVQ1WYC8Jjc7ACk0sApIWa1LLUkUCHKea4Qrnugm-pF6K1VGU96mG5EuDBR9AUeXFdSNCnrHBSCo8NQtN0S5lmYWaPusI2glQ0eand1K_7yo2LRfafYIYTJCJFxy/s3939/20211112_104704.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2953" data-original-width="3939" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJx_ZEi2CWhirm5hudVQ1WYC8Jjc7ACk0sApIWa1LLUkUCHKea4Qrnugm-pF6K1VGU96mG5EuDBR9AUeXFdSNCnrHBSCo8NQtN0S5lmYWaPusI2glQ0eand1K_7yo2LRfafYIYTJCJFxy/w400-h300/20211112_104704.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>In the spring, we are intentionally taking on a few different subjects so we have a chance to experience a variety of lessons in community. We have a meeting coming up this month to finalize our spring plans!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tqIEBvpM8cO3eNNG8fYGPeIWJmycRZ7tk4p4bXoHPHyBFQsds0Oq3D18m1Vkc0DLXkESs-E8xDZEKmrHowqoVzsWzPmA3q1q81JUpAPU06dvMXiy_s4PEkV92LuZzsyDRk-lt_uYYYCD/s4032/20210924_111855.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tqIEBvpM8cO3eNNG8fYGPeIWJmycRZ7tk4p4bXoHPHyBFQsds0Oq3D18m1Vkc0DLXkESs-E8xDZEKmrHowqoVzsWzPmA3q1q81JUpAPU06dvMXiy_s4PEkV92LuZzsyDRk-lt_uYYYCD/s320/20210924_111855.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg992xWNtDmsV3t0yd3499CbWaAjpV-2qNn4dwPsq5ewE6XvVxLaLsOKPTz3NSLREFzU8D6nL-QM5ezovgxNV3zTqf96U34Lg8SzYcBX2ObI3S6zTNn1CdMqNlswRF2_r82_liXxbVRpBQL/s3042/20211029_090857.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3042" data-original-width="2304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg992xWNtDmsV3t0yd3499CbWaAjpV-2qNn4dwPsq5ewE6XvVxLaLsOKPTz3NSLREFzU8D6nL-QM5ezovgxNV3zTqf96U34Lg8SzYcBX2ObI3S6zTNn1CdMqNlswRF2_r82_liXxbVRpBQL/s320/20211029_090857.jpg" width="242" /></a></div></div><p></p><p>Our co-op went <i>so</i> smoothly this fall, partly thanks to the CMEC resources (it helped to have that flexible guidance to structure our studies, and we learned so much from Amy's experience at The Mason Academy that she shares through the Community Learning Support Group) and partly thanks to the cheerful willingness of the families involved. Everyone was eager to contribute and committed to understanding the methodology well. Plus we have a pretty wonderful group of kids!</p><p>Are you part of a co-op? What are your favorite subjects to do together? We are currently planning Shakespeare, scouting, drill, historical picture books, and a few more fun additions for next term's studies.</p>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-32401944460330214472021-10-24T14:17:00.002-07:002021-10-24T14:17:26.932-07:00{This and That} :: Happy October!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAphnDuPVLbvwlT0XGC_s2sbGQGYNXthw-ilN9KNylzltpEg-cDkXCWrX3Vdq0dPNcUPBPR4rufjqF4M8_lGaUpkVi4DPyaMcObiNtn6Kt_XOAlcLC0w-U-MsgX_33K-DQUtgncxph5cf/s3849/20211008_090239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2887" data-original-width="3849" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAphnDuPVLbvwlT0XGC_s2sbGQGYNXthw-ilN9KNylzltpEg-cDkXCWrX3Vdq0dPNcUPBPR4rufjqF4M8_lGaUpkVi4DPyaMcObiNtn6Kt_XOAlcLC0w-U-MsgX_33K-DQUtgncxph5cf/w640-h480/20211008_090239.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy to be popping in with an update on a very rainy, very delightful Sunday afternoon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHUAG5MwaRdHNjUGCuDD7M9hK4gk164FCxi_7j8-ozs6c-oAwaOIUjramZdKwwNM7o2Hh-ZryhDGXKVGlG1S7McpOzozMrSdi2-GcgxNnNaO4Gi7-dqsiqvq-JzEsRNx4hJIQXCTdP6g6/s3582/20211022_145320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2737" data-original-width="3582" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHUAG5MwaRdHNjUGCuDD7M9hK4gk164FCxi_7j8-ozs6c-oAwaOIUjramZdKwwNM7o2Hh-ZryhDGXKVGlG1S7McpOzozMrSdi2-GcgxNnNaO4Gi7-dqsiqvq-JzEsRNx4hJIQXCTdP6g6/w320-h245/20211022_145320.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>We begin exams tomorrow after a very full first term. This is the one of the smoothest first terms I have ever had, thanks mostly to lots of help from my husband as we transitioned to a fuller morning timetable. Whenever he is not in meetings, he has been keeping the three youngest with him to play in his office from 9-11am. On the days he is busy, I have a rotation of toys and Littleleben activities ready for them. I no longer have a morning break, but I have enjoyed finishing my school day earlier and am feeling less tired in the afternoon hours.</p><p>Home education is always a stretching experience -- there is no avoiding the challenges that each day brings in a family with so many different ages and personalities! But I am so grateful for a joyful fall term and excited for the weeks ahead.</p><p>Some recent highlights from our work together...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RV1wj56B0UpRpL3B0QPLfxfk5HBk4Ac-HY-GiLHtf8Ja12Y8svSitgDykL9o2SPclLYDMXl5-IvaepPRNYo44aBch7UHre3pYKuLIZdZnHXQZqAiPJPsZrw0dL5Jk9qgP_bLWdtsc_QO/s4032/20211021_102652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RV1wj56B0UpRpL3B0QPLfxfk5HBk4Ac-HY-GiLHtf8Ja12Y8svSitgDykL9o2SPclLYDMXl5-IvaepPRNYo44aBch7UHre3pYKuLIZdZnHXQZqAiPJPsZrw0dL5Jk9qgP_bLWdtsc_QO/w240-h320/20211021_102652.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Form 1 pacing and mapmaking</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEORU7PdUT8FB-KRcH9lBPSItX9H1mfwIijUoohvnvJKiqN5oCLyQ2YXXNr7Pbzi7SoAtU4CYXrYIOblODmJgQIab1hbOV-1tK9loO2FFnMa7A-O3SL6zdh-xTy6FxOsNNsp5z1ho_8nv6/s2931/20211019_114102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2931" data-original-width="2804" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEORU7PdUT8FB-KRcH9lBPSItX9H1mfwIijUoohvnvJKiqN5oCLyQ2YXXNr7Pbzi7SoAtU4CYXrYIOblODmJgQIab1hbOV-1tK9loO2FFnMa7A-O3SL6zdh-xTy6FxOsNNsp5z1ho_8nv6/s320/20211019_114102.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">singing with our <a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/tbg-songbook-2021-22" target="_blank">TBG Songbooks</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmKXuamc_l3e6jU5UovtA6W7uIAMhLjBzuCRnuf9fiZ2wuyBf91hxG7vhROKtmhHjU73PSPjrsQD1fs8aZ5SsxiXBXXk01ExzpRKiqOzHd4QSIokry_5VBf_t8D8xpDmYL-BKSTCzHNeB/s3366/20211019_103511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3366" data-original-width="2765" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmKXuamc_l3e6jU5UovtA6W7uIAMhLjBzuCRnuf9fiZ2wuyBf91hxG7vhROKtmhHjU73PSPjrsQD1fs8aZ5SsxiXBXXk01ExzpRKiqOzHd4QSIokry_5VBf_t8D8xpDmYL-BKSTCzHNeB/s320/20211019_103511.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">sloyd portfolios</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBhXF6PN_ja4-HjiTpNiR6KNqxWAE0tHWQ8sz3q9h53dE7z-q8gZjK9Nc1M9xrVQoI7RaUYtqX3gkULI9ZQVqV6QohDW95P6gF_0doMeRgJlwtdSTvYNCyvgUoQDK7IemstLPwYozTSjO/s3433/20211006_105330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2769" data-original-width="3433" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBhXF6PN_ja4-HjiTpNiR6KNqxWAE0tHWQ8sz3q9h53dE7z-q8gZjK9Nc1M9xrVQoI7RaUYtqX3gkULI9ZQVqV6QohDW95P6gF_0doMeRgJlwtdSTvYNCyvgUoQDK7IemstLPwYozTSjO/s320/20211006_105330.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Plutarch weekly painting!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfH_i8MksPXPvJUxeF1d569YU_FQ080Tl5fzlwZ8B-QZpOzVGFE8tFCdbHMmnEgQfICDiS8xVGmPSq2o5UPgocN6JtOlUeGOoiH1_5bNGJreyaNCK7o_bM1RX3BwPGKPiT3sCL0wygax6/s3829/20211005_100617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3829" data-original-width="2871" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfH_i8MksPXPvJUxeF1d569YU_FQ080Tl5fzlwZ8B-QZpOzVGFE8tFCdbHMmnEgQfICDiS8xVGmPSq2o5UPgocN6JtOlUeGOoiH1_5bNGJreyaNCK7o_bM1RX3BwPGKPiT3sCL0wygax6/s320/20211005_100617.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Burgess Bird Book</i> brush drawing</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEmFJVPaJwcTz0C_aJQYZBwLEWgo_w3BeRUBfP-rg1YcU2JiMMOa59__kgsnT8uHW9bDjjRw3FLadAgS9PsywTH8QAJXlRJEY8PlQhR8fzIE5aErsHL0jbpHtnfG_KtE2rwxKUsFcoh0-/s3521/20211004_130035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2720" data-original-width="3521" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEmFJVPaJwcTz0C_aJQYZBwLEWgo_w3BeRUBfP-rg1YcU2JiMMOa59__kgsnT8uHW9bDjjRw3FLadAgS9PsywTH8QAJXlRJEY8PlQhR8fzIE5aErsHL0jbpHtnfG_KtE2rwxKUsFcoh0-/s320/20211004_130035.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">flat washes</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSf-VS-5HXMwC6hfkJCm0ub4ONSAMPKAi9SBJZUvHOa0NMVeyZFSsGACW5XuqBagf1qUxHKudnsqMe6uMDf7jdhMxtQAt6t6MNppmtw2UznMVHn25U-NwpM53ZDZLxSgp4VACWzshlfhG/s3577/20210930_132943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3577" data-original-width="2673" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSf-VS-5HXMwC6hfkJCm0ub4ONSAMPKAi9SBJZUvHOa0NMVeyZFSsGACW5XuqBagf1qUxHKudnsqMe6uMDf7jdhMxtQAt6t6MNppmtw2UznMVHn25U-NwpM53ZDZLxSgp4VACWzshlfhG/s320/20210930_132943.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">raffia tassels</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbskAkasE_TYsJtt0quLLvV8rWvFbFVdN7HSLp-mb-kp2kgR4M9MQSgmUppx2OqzbsTI6tyUBHSdrLnZiWvSr8fzP297nK33kDgCoVclZVHKOxX1AAikN0lkAApUeyhOTyyqp0BxRE4E8O/s3795/20210930_094344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2799" data-original-width="3795" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbskAkasE_TYsJtt0quLLvV8rWvFbFVdN7HSLp-mb-kp2kgR4M9MQSgmUppx2OqzbsTI6tyUBHSdrLnZiWvSr8fzP297nK33kDgCoVclZVHKOxX1AAikN0lkAApUeyhOTyyqp0BxRE4E8O/s320/20210930_094344.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">reading lessons - word-building practice</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6wFrtZVV9WpRidhNw3xApaB0q3n-oQmhWBl7szoFe_7_xXCwAw2himlOwyUAZkOeChgi4ymc2MppWZXS9_CbAR440heMiPQ_D-wKzuoaX4hSayiZgO9hofGpMr71mxQ7D6yu1pXSXoB5/s4032/20210930_080119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6wFrtZVV9WpRidhNw3xApaB0q3n-oQmhWBl7szoFe_7_xXCwAw2himlOwyUAZkOeChgi4ymc2MppWZXS9_CbAR440heMiPQ_D-wKzuoaX4hSayiZgO9hofGpMr71mxQ7D6yu1pXSXoB5/s320/20210930_080119.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">breakfast reading</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1dvB1RM16IUxWoYyMajUBY3Xi5PzVfROetLCLlFGYvsCepYXGwKcxAgEtYP-8NLMM9bQtzXEUjv-6spB-nUceakMgZxx3KAcPH8LVgnkTlNx8hceAb2_8Q5ro2_7iRt8mRjGQk9y3lKF/s2951/20210927_124219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2882" data-original-width="2951" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1dvB1RM16IUxWoYyMajUBY3Xi5PzVfROetLCLlFGYvsCepYXGwKcxAgEtYP-8NLMM9bQtzXEUjv-6spB-nUceakMgZxx3KAcPH8LVgnkTlNx8hceAb2_8Q5ro2_7iRt8mRjGQk9y3lKF/s320/20210927_124219.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">chalk drawing - warm-up with spirals</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjon88NdsUyMdca5lV0mxwGGPT84foqsduFznTld-LW9OWx2tkSMuqrdXH1kTeNn3k5wQer4LX_PC93fwSDxrJnw4nYTBrPwlvlY-CZ1u1RjEBZVQSrJkjccEtkBr8HmXjqA564sgi8tFAk/s4032/20210927_125125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjon88NdsUyMdca5lV0mxwGGPT84foqsduFznTld-LW9OWx2tkSMuqrdXH1kTeNn3k5wQer4LX_PC93fwSDxrJnw4nYTBrPwlvlY-CZ1u1RjEBZVQSrJkjccEtkBr8HmXjqA564sgi8tFAk/s320/20210927_125125.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">object drawing in chalk - ellipses</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CjCDiH54OaQrVF7SYOkn2a4VA-O_4xW49h_2992vC0i7lJRzlaeur4r8X2ky8JvCIrN5k5bXiaOgR7TdsUPRk4Lf7IbyuzXhYWhZidJSTjAEKh5MNsjEL1-MWestSIxE8ecWS8J46muW/s4032/20210924_130211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CjCDiH54OaQrVF7SYOkn2a4VA-O_4xW49h_2992vC0i7lJRzlaeur4r8X2ky8JvCIrN5k5bXiaOgR7TdsUPRk4Lf7IbyuzXhYWhZidJSTjAEKh5MNsjEL1-MWestSIxE8ecWS8J46muW/s320/20210924_130211.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">weekly meetings</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWfIWa1w7aTIHRs7EiB_uU1jQyjC-G5MVVpIFQnLT10zMo6sk6mKXR-dqLH61aKqL-zETpT86uXXh68ZSckoINbMfFPnEIXXGrqDHqPYikcx1pCdR1dMx_hnNDvu2OEdAJJMvqHlHWqvN/s4032/20210924_132530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWfIWa1w7aTIHRs7EiB_uU1jQyjC-G5MVVpIFQnLT10zMo6sk6mKXR-dqLH61aKqL-zETpT86uXXh68ZSckoINbMfFPnEIXXGrqDHqPYikcx1pCdR1dMx_hnNDvu2OEdAJJMvqHlHWqvN/s320/20210924_132530.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Form 5 commonplace</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGV2ECXY3UPqhvVGOEt9ZCFznR_HSZ9YwGPIH17-h9E7iWGirfFAPimyfkgJGmwRUjp0mYPEDP8ENfsWW-jIM_udzYv-sx6SQuZrON-fcBmIS8OFnU5qVkrJKBR_899OJ8NOroUQdEgFJv/s4032/20210923_105704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGV2ECXY3UPqhvVGOEt9ZCFznR_HSZ9YwGPIH17-h9E7iWGirfFAPimyfkgJGmwRUjp0mYPEDP8ENfsWW-jIM_udzYv-sx6SQuZrON-fcBmIS8OFnU5qVkrJKBR_899OJ8NOroUQdEgFJv/s320/20210923_105704.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Plant Life in Field and Garden</i> - male and female flowers</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf6ACMF_vTe17xui8LxxClGGjq7sBQ_QGsYNSyzvb81QrraCgAz-f9BA8TrU8T6sYoTFcyla2ML6w67QKsFzndUuBYkuj2yoO4IzVrCjiMPv7ZK-nuBBEvWvwHkppgX7FUnRXoJa-6oz2/s4032/20210923_141158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf6ACMF_vTe17xui8LxxClGGjq7sBQ_QGsYNSyzvb81QrraCgAz-f9BA8TrU8T6sYoTFcyla2ML6w67QKsFzndUuBYkuj2yoO4IzVrCjiMPv7ZK-nuBBEvWvwHkppgX7FUnRXoJa-6oz2/s320/20210923_141158.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">raffia fringe</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieE4jYQcJdCfkSLybfpSXZXSaBqdCoLwFsrUiUjPOesurvdGUMgoG4ICLtBIPbynDOAShQZ9kASsWuTvK1uv8NRAYW_QTSBVBPdr7K_hcZZbX4LvNkpwi75agrptRcqK1_6zHcpZt_ayN5/s4032/20210922_101821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieE4jYQcJdCfkSLybfpSXZXSaBqdCoLwFsrUiUjPOesurvdGUMgoG4ICLtBIPbynDOAShQZ9kASsWuTvK1uv8NRAYW_QTSBVBPdr7K_hcZZbX4LvNkpwi75agrptRcqK1_6zHcpZt_ayN5/s320/20210922_101821.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">European geography with playdoh</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdp0IV13j5oupDFEyNgIFk5CvvcJ-Pc3IX4WWeJtKj_pft0L0wE4iKMUtPPrPcwIVNz786ZIU1cgh8ZNFuxZVMbESD_arXX_7zOu84yGOydj4xq8I172iJAPOWARO5RnZ-WVWPqW4YKqPL/s4022/20210915_092338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2651" data-original-width="4022" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdp0IV13j5oupDFEyNgIFk5CvvcJ-Pc3IX4WWeJtKj_pft0L0wE4iKMUtPPrPcwIVNz786ZIU1cgh8ZNFuxZVMbESD_arXX_7zOu84yGOydj4xq8I172iJAPOWARO5RnZ-WVWPqW4YKqPL/s320/20210915_092338.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and with the white board!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYZ1SRAbcMh9ddweUHHx2XDIU29MWl9uq4aVVda1BdCdfJT6rnmrikIqt3aWF1rg5JgEdurXWkRFlnn7zZXGlsUzh0VhcPh_FDgAnKnIFHVm6QeimBzAXeK1DjvRQRSvy3gdmFMOGDZ6C/s3610/20210920_125343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2282" data-original-width="3610" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYZ1SRAbcMh9ddweUHHx2XDIU29MWl9uq4aVVda1BdCdfJT6rnmrikIqt3aWF1rg5JgEdurXWkRFlnn7zZXGlsUzh0VhcPh_FDgAnKnIFHVm6QeimBzAXeK1DjvRQRSvy3gdmFMOGDZ6C/s320/20210920_125343.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">clay modeling from imagination</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlZR8UC_h8pH7Y_IGaIWG6OAoxon9sIG4XcnuZnPbM7cG5zvEy1J11tzeTqgYe9SHvlYWM8r5x0MEQeEB2zejsFm_EdGcvrDBdg3CnoRAnjwJFBepakXQ6NaRSN36Mn1pb5aTq1uKU8E2/s3369/20210930_132904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2671" data-original-width="3369" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlZR8UC_h8pH7Y_IGaIWG6OAoxon9sIG4XcnuZnPbM7cG5zvEy1J11tzeTqgYe9SHvlYWM8r5x0MEQeEB2zejsFm_EdGcvrDBdg3CnoRAnjwJFBepakXQ6NaRSN36Mn1pb5aTq1uKU8E2/s320/20210930_132904.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">high school chemistry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzXBLvFCJhZDBQWaZlrSsLKhRdkp4hTU344hs58waMneW_3NMmLtywrjOliq1Ssb3EKyIBLvWpbwjfA3N4vKdrfmQtyM1D1MUld-fdDwXYaepdPj36sE4PlmL9DVC-YraMGpaoPy5Hjpw/s4032/20210930_113003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzXBLvFCJhZDBQWaZlrSsLKhRdkp4hTU344hs58waMneW_3NMmLtywrjOliq1Ssb3EKyIBLvWpbwjfA3N4vKdrfmQtyM1D1MUld-fdDwXYaepdPj36sE4PlmL9DVC-YraMGpaoPy5Hjpw/s320/20210930_113003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the littles playing restaurant :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rz2OoaBAao5lUBB9U8Cnes1UZ_HhS2coQQ7YPgcjc1pnzotdmH1oTz6Szm2FO0wXXcAU0uosgYXfULciCvSpCJhSgeSXVgc2DEGq00RKjcJSR5O7kv_Os7iXee3yZcwCsLsTm_oIExOW/s4032/20211022_093532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rz2OoaBAao5lUBB9U8Cnes1UZ_HhS2coQQ7YPgcjc1pnzotdmH1oTz6Szm2FO0wXXcAU0uosgYXfULciCvSpCJhSgeSXVgc2DEGq00RKjcJSR5O7kv_Os7iXee3yZcwCsLsTm_oIExOW/s320/20211022_093532.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trojan horse in the Book of Centuries</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>~~~</div><p>My trip to Philadelphia for <a href="https://www.thecmec.org/" target="_blank">the CMEC</a>'s Fall Mini-Retreat a couple weeks ago was a wonderful time. Amy and I were able to explore composition through the Forms, from copywork in Form 1 through high school writing.</p><p>We spent a morning walking in Valley Forge while we brainstormed our community offerings for the next year. The perfect place for perspective and inspiration!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYagxJjlcBAuwSKO4d3i8e-51hFep-NiYOeA-EUK99VKv0EvJUuFx80QpqB85YldX-Dnv19dEiL45DJlsxwfvWdgNl9dS0QYSEBXWnka91XuREHxPYKK1ilv9TqOIPyVmV7g8qe16fTQE/s4032/20211008_084159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYagxJjlcBAuwSKO4d3i8e-51hFep-NiYOeA-EUK99VKv0EvJUuFx80QpqB85YldX-Dnv19dEiL45DJlsxwfvWdgNl9dS0QYSEBXWnka91XuREHxPYKK1ilv9TqOIPyVmV7g8qe16fTQE/s320/20211008_084159.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3XoSgs8PEpWzsWLMphG2U0NC95JVexP4opcfnvPRH6W4ITTUpbUfYCMclUkyft-lbOpgSh1SO3zPqd7_wWzSybjZ9UcUNUxeJbca4xnUab978YDj9ssFFYjwydjuQgpO195KObGmouFN/s3941/20211008_083419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2955" data-original-width="3941" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3XoSgs8PEpWzsWLMphG2U0NC95JVexP4opcfnvPRH6W4ITTUpbUfYCMclUkyft-lbOpgSh1SO3zPqd7_wWzSybjZ9UcUNUxeJbca4xnUab978YDj9ssFFYjwydjuQgpO195KObGmouFN/s320/20211008_083419.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE83FrYIcFsz-JXkhwl7bAcQNWjadMj_lg2Yxfkd8XOaMWhDqe14WF28ABaRj4kBXlfZzv2M8whYzgXG1gOXLHponvEINOUcS7gPRDJJj0nm-bguz1ySV1axTE_G7Bqdhw1WlQr4omCIBt/s4032/20211008_082656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE83FrYIcFsz-JXkhwl7bAcQNWjadMj_lg2Yxfkd8XOaMWhDqe14WF28ABaRj4kBXlfZzv2M8whYzgXG1gOXLHponvEINOUcS7gPRDJJj0nm-bguz1ySV1axTE_G7Bqdhw1WlQr4omCIBt/s320/20211008_082656.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And I had a window seat on my flight home on a beautifully clear day. (Can you tell which part of the country I was flying over in each one?)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkTte9QhinpGBnwo8zzkzFa1KaF_W-eoO2LX0EVkb36mwedl083hbj9JIvlh7BV9Mh3-ti4P3S_sIZFTkrvW-dYGCqaejgYVCDN89OYvSrCGwUa9AeajpI_0ObMk_Ij_FFUebOqEIKZRv/s3653/20211011_130503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3653" data-original-width="3023" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkTte9QhinpGBnwo8zzkzFa1KaF_W-eoO2LX0EVkb36mwedl083hbj9JIvlh7BV9Mh3-ti4P3S_sIZFTkrvW-dYGCqaejgYVCDN89OYvSrCGwUa9AeajpI_0ObMk_Ij_FFUebOqEIKZRv/s320/20211011_130503.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVcDJXWPhP80xCGbfSbDtcKfh5NJmxHWcv67sPx8g7Lpxe-AxAn-H5tZUD11CShll8_PkBLKq3i_mXPHPYPWHhgAQp_Fkhm1rvOwE4qexwMUWwlYcV3YIAbmCfiji6KmlEFuLoAPB601e/s3862/20211011_145916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3862" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVcDJXWPhP80xCGbfSbDtcKfh5NJmxHWcv67sPx8g7Lpxe-AxAn-H5tZUD11CShll8_PkBLKq3i_mXPHPYPWHhgAQp_Fkhm1rvOwE4qexwMUWwlYcV3YIAbmCfiji6KmlEFuLoAPB601e/s320/20211011_145916.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5ezbkJICUiH_zU3MuFucqOVXMJoYpIOaLG7fze93GpMe483pH8eeWtp5RBWhB8MkYN9tiwZb9gHrq84NTCAZj9kYkvbtOPdfnJyW31j-fLDWeFdQHoYGpql0SQQL66U7wYn09oiG9hv-/s3941/20211011_124826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3941" data-original-width="2955" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5ezbkJICUiH_zU3MuFucqOVXMJoYpIOaLG7fze93GpMe483pH8eeWtp5RBWhB8MkYN9tiwZb9gHrq84NTCAZj9kYkvbtOPdfnJyW31j-fLDWeFdQHoYGpql0SQQL66U7wYn09oiG9hv-/s320/20211011_124826.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi538-_F_7FErR1u1SjrTkTKfaM8SaJbBftuU-FzLIeydqg79RlKsj4LRu9m1sbGkH4plS4ydLTIuu4FUyZD6RuZMr40lLyyH1KdSdxESaQmxoFp0TU-avmOXcBZ5ALxLpGi6cuXWgzJAq/s3871/20211011_145309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3871" data-original-width="2903" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi538-_F_7FErR1u1SjrTkTKfaM8SaJbBftuU-FzLIeydqg79RlKsj4LRu9m1sbGkH4plS4ydLTIuu4FUyZD6RuZMr40lLyyH1KdSdxESaQmxoFp0TU-avmOXcBZ5ALxLpGi6cuXWgzJAq/s320/20211011_145309.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I can always tell when I'm back home in California when I see its neat suburbs creeping up the golden hills that stretch for miles.</div></div><div><p>~~~</p><p>My three September birthday girls are looking so grown up...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkE_EwgB_f-ti8IaJRNg-glPuokXiD2DBLKFDICgQ7MXoDWhtYvTntXbSVjWpghI76ZzsGN3kDcdoT9mNG6shj2EXLEMWm5FS00rSosBIVoYWkiecOtZMYCSd_7u3qYTjankgtYeigQR0/s3946/20210925_110537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3946" data-original-width="2570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkE_EwgB_f-ti8IaJRNg-glPuokXiD2DBLKFDICgQ7MXoDWhtYvTntXbSVjWpghI76ZzsGN3kDcdoT9mNG6shj2EXLEMWm5FS00rSosBIVoYWkiecOtZMYCSd_7u3qYTjankgtYeigQR0/s320/20210925_110537.jpg" width="208" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDwhj2yqMUIC_pBw0ipK5WvRVxC9xMgjKw9RI5D53loz3ZhAJzlj3opcKwyx0s9xV6rhd69KJKjVU8bWb0oEe82wBLMxqmfjdEn-ngP10N4OaaxlER8kc51TrJE5AFtBBeanXHfXR_a1Z/s4032/20210929_165211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDwhj2yqMUIC_pBw0ipK5WvRVxC9xMgjKw9RI5D53loz3ZhAJzlj3opcKwyx0s9xV6rhd69KJKjVU8bWb0oEe82wBLMxqmfjdEn-ngP10N4OaaxlER8kc51TrJE5AFtBBeanXHfXR_a1Z/w240-h320/20210929_165211.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qorjsUdq5YFOd0gJUE6Er4hBQaV3TjYkkqb8DFP_jtpeOT7EysXVkQofW8TUJaD5Rxx0GxVQIjZEPoOn9mOzSaBwL_NshXoxL_2-vZq9uzpZoN_izC-YO6I7rzeIHXfkEdkeEAigeKe8/s4032/20210904_121751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qorjsUdq5YFOd0gJUE6Er4hBQaV3TjYkkqb8DFP_jtpeOT7EysXVkQofW8TUJaD5Rxx0GxVQIjZEPoOn9mOzSaBwL_NshXoxL_2-vZq9uzpZoN_izC-YO6I7rzeIHXfkEdkeEAigeKe8/s320/20210904_121751.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7VVBi2z_gnzLYypY5e05sRUS6PbDpOShVVTqFYLIGmCaEt1IesIskdHcWgDU96dgh62dWG47MhMUE2dhj00CFqdL_12TMp9LCZHHTfP5wPFwXXr8tAFsZ99RF0kyMXuh1rhxAsR9qvQR/s4032/20210904_114923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7VVBi2z_gnzLYypY5e05sRUS6PbDpOShVVTqFYLIGmCaEt1IesIskdHcWgDU96dgh62dWG47MhMUE2dhj00CFqdL_12TMp9LCZHHTfP5wPFwXXr8tAFsZ99RF0kyMXuh1rhxAsR9qvQR/s320/20210904_114923.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What have you been reading lately? After lots of pre-reading this summer and early fall, I have taken the last month or so to pick up some more leisurely books...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On my flight to Philadelphia, I spent five thoroughly riveted hours reading Willa Cather's <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3vI4LTy" target="_blank">Shadows on the Rock</a></i>. This was actually a re-read for me, but it had been a few years and my high schoolers will be reading it this spring. I was reminded why it is one of my favorites of all time as I tried to hide my tears on the packed flight!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My Form 1 students have been listening through the Little House series for their literature reading this term. After hearing bits and pieces here and there, I decided to re-read the series myself back-to-back last weekend. I have to say: it was a more emotional experience than I was expecting! It had probably been five years since the last time I read the novels, and wow -- it is a different series altogether when your oldest daughter is the same age as Laura when she gets her first teaching job away from home. It gave me a lot to think about.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today I started <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3GipkKX" target="_blank">The Song of the Scaffold</a></i>, which I read years ago but don't remember that well. I'm thinking it might make a good addition to next year's study of the French Revolution.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I suppose it is a season for re-reading? I am always looking for something familiar in the fall. Do your book choices vary by season?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After talking about restful Sundays at the CMEC Summer Gatherings this past July, I have been motivated to refresh my own Sunday routine. It's always nice to build in some special, small practices that help make it a day to look forward to. (Especially because football season means I have several free hours on Sundays while the kids watch with my husband!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We go to an early Mass so my sons can serve, so we are home in time for breakfast. I always enjoy my leisurely Sunday coffee -- it is truly a highlight of my week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnV5QaWSrZLyMcMJ92botON7kc6D2BhKGOuNNR5EiH8UdWHfjml-tCEynC7ttq7yxUYkXELR0oq4nPQTnzWlD6DYWjeFwBHucvwEUHYRxHYxz7QK0n_p9aZMzTPdLzOQgz6wRxwXKcQShR/s1530/Screenshot_20211024-111816_Podcast+Addict.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnV5QaWSrZLyMcMJ92botON7kc6D2BhKGOuNNR5EiH8UdWHfjml-tCEynC7ttq7yxUYkXELR0oq4nPQTnzWlD6DYWjeFwBHucvwEUHYRxHYxz7QK0n_p9aZMzTPdLzOQgz6wRxwXKcQShR/s1530/Screenshot_20211024-111816_Podcast+Addict.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJgbKAw6bZISgPjONUImPT8Ez6uerCRI5Sb7GNtF_Ua6lNB3FhPAWyBgNIySUO94Urr43mBfPNWOGqG3RFbpX8KkzctSy4f2SwXPHuCDgsJfpaRoxH-xHvTOv6ZpB8TxpJr2CxlDmS8AR/s4032/20211024_113336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJgbKAw6bZISgPjONUImPT8Ez6uerCRI5Sb7GNtF_Ua6lNB3FhPAWyBgNIySUO94Urr43mBfPNWOGqG3RFbpX8KkzctSy4f2SwXPHuCDgsJfpaRoxH-xHvTOv6ZpB8TxpJr2CxlDmS8AR/s320/20211024_113336.jpg" width="240" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnV5QaWSrZLyMcMJ92botON7kc6D2BhKGOuNNR5EiH8UdWHfjml-tCEynC7ttq7yxUYkXELR0oq4nPQTnzWlD6DYWjeFwBHucvwEUHYRxHYxz7QK0n_p9aZMzTPdLzOQgz6wRxwXKcQShR/s320/Screenshot_20211024-111816_Podcast+Addict.jpg" width="226" /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A fun recent addition: I have been using my <a href="https://barehands.us/collections/all/products/the-dry-gloss-manicure-kit" target="_blank">Dry Gloss kit from Bare Hands</a> (a gift from a dear friend) to take care of my nails each week. The best thing about this kit is that it gives you neat, shiny nails with no polish -- I love it. While I'm doing my manicure, I listen to a podcast episode. My current favorite is from <a href="https://anchor.fm/optimal-work" target="_blank">Optimal Work</a>. Usually I really enjoy the quiet and I'm not generally a podcast person, but this has been a nice change of pace for me on Sundays.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibggQ4NSrRlGGQBwhXFHqqBlxD1a9HPpSlsR10lToO7GLQTFA3dlkDxuzjp8uOxbX6ekMSfg5dud1b-Gk4Y7tw8tgSdxQuw8zSlPYEe9HxHlsrc4oYSWWlJv21fwR7COr0QZWuJqu55aYF/s4032/20211024_113751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibggQ4NSrRlGGQBwhXFHqqBlxD1a9HPpSlsR10lToO7GLQTFA3dlkDxuzjp8uOxbX6ekMSfg5dud1b-Gk4Y7tw8tgSdxQuw8zSlPYEe9HxHlsrc4oYSWWlJv21fwR7COr0QZWuJqu55aYF/s320/20211024_113751.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also work in my TBG Notebook. I don't usually have time to make an artist or composer study entry during our lesson because my Form 1 students need me to act as scribe for their narrations, so on Sundays I set aside time to sketch or write. I also occasionally pull out my <a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-notebooks/book-of-centuries" target="_blank">Book of Centuries</a> or nature journal if I have something I'd like to add. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(As a side note, my kids are using the<a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-notebooks/tbg-notebook" target="_blank"> Riverbend Press TBG Notebooks</a> this year and they just adore them. They take such good care of them because they feel so special, and the paper is a dream to work on. But I like a smaller format for myself right now; I'm using a <a href="https://www.dickblick.com/items/prat-flex-sketchbook-8-12-x-6-black-blank-pages/#" target="_blank">Prat Flexbook</a> for my TBG Notebook.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUvkLvrWBJfZppWY_w-5SHlHzlj0q5jzq61mrke89FGdxKO9cmIR16R4Rjuelz3xBKwJkTsPPNqiuzFIVzerg9QjKgH1_lKZuSLVAm98mZ9amUNPGP2jXqDkPbwcnSRI_Jp5QhN9D9nX8/s1080/IMG_20210829_104341_520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUvkLvrWBJfZppWY_w-5SHlHzlj0q5jzq61mrke89FGdxKO9cmIR16R4Rjuelz3xBKwJkTsPPNqiuzFIVzerg9QjKgH1_lKZuSLVAm98mZ9amUNPGP2jXqDkPbwcnSRI_Jp5QhN9D9nX8/s320/IMG_20210829_104341_520.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sundays always involve some spiritual reading for me as well. I mentioned this before <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTKsjl2p-8B/" target="_blank">over on Instagram</a>, but I use Sundays as an opportunity to read the week's Bible lessons. A few weeks ago, I read ahead and completed the term's assignments, so lately I have been dipping into <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3nmdmr7">The Sermons from St. Alphonsus Ligouri for All Sundays of the Year</a></i> (which my older kids are also reading weekly), <i><a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/scale-how-meditations" target="_blank">Scale How Meditations</a></i>, and others from my shelves. Often my spiritual reading helps me form an intention for the week that I write in my logbook as a daily prayer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And I like to have a treat for Sundays. Right now I am well-stocked with options because my kids gifted me with some fun sweets for my birthday -- I'm enjoying some homemade lavender ice cream right now (!) and have several chocolate bars stashed in my desk drawer. But often my girls will bake something tasty to enjoy over Sunday. We then save the rest in the freezer to pull out for the next Friday's Weekly Meetings. As the weather gets colder, I have been sipping hot water with lemon through the afternoon as I sit and read. Fragrant and fresh!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My Sunday observance too varies with the seasons. Soon it will be time for cozy fires, baking, reading, and crafting. :) What ways have you been making Sunday special lately?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Like I mentioned, I recently celebrated a birthday and got so many fun little handmade gifts from my crew...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZUggHoxnNhkppOvSeY5u25i8fP61mDrMZHfPjkSH6FBetZWjZE3cSgR7E6LR8NzYg4P_55-7uQbKztL9SbSdNk6UOk253wKmDl-nNHbHi8XqGed7NLgN1BMJePPrci5eKh_kclo2eE_G/s3763/20211022_110301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2994" data-original-width="3763" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZUggHoxnNhkppOvSeY5u25i8fP61mDrMZHfPjkSH6FBetZWjZE3cSgR7E6LR8NzYg4P_55-7uQbKztL9SbSdNk6UOk253wKmDl-nNHbHi8XqGed7NLgN1BMJePPrci5eKh_kclo2eE_G/w400-h319/20211022_110301.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Aren't they so creative? I love to see how they take skills they have built during lessons over the years and weave them into thoughtful things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And the large papercutting in the top center is by my kindergartener and is based on Turner's <i>Dordrecht</i> from the <a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-artist-prints/kinderleben-artist-print-set">Kinderleben Artist Print Set</a>. This is actually his second time reinterpreting the piece -- he also painted it a few weeks ago!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPCY0n17QoKxALnw6_ocH4AtJSsS98r8w8pVQj7wtqTECXMw3i3CGOAYJ74Bc6eZ3Wi5WscjnBQ6Y7zKxTGbnuuLvBLMw1BgTU8ltjOTLYpIDyyFrgf9r1_bJ7QaDAk-UJbFNiZawcQqS/s3780/20211022_110402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2905" data-original-width="3780" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPCY0n17QoKxALnw6_ocH4AtJSsS98r8w8pVQj7wtqTECXMw3i3CGOAYJ74Bc6eZ3Wi5WscjnBQ6Y7zKxTGbnuuLvBLMw1BgTU8ltjOTLYpIDyyFrgf9r1_bJ7QaDAk-UJbFNiZawcQqS/s320/20211022_110402.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before I sign off, a few logistical notes:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First, a few months ago, Blogger somehow switched my comments to moderated without notifying me. I noticed last week that I had dozens and dozens of comments awaiting moderation in my account. I went through all of them and commented back, so you may have recently heard from me about something you asked long, long ago. ;) Sorry about that!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some of you have sent email requests recently to access documents I have shared here on the blog in the past. Google Drive made a security update that turned off sharing settings for old documents -- and since I have been posting here for over a decade, that affected a good number of my Drive links! I think I have resolved the issue, but if you encounter a problem, feel free to hit that "request access" button so I am aware of which documents still need to be tweaked.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of old documents, one this has always been popular is the All Souls' Day prayer cards I created years ago -- and November 2nd is just around the corner! You can find that free printable <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0yl2KT7qO4LSVVsN0Z4RlVSYVk/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally, you may have heard that Google's blog subscription service, Feedburner, was recently discontinued. I converted all existing email subscriptions to Follow.me. But if you used to get email notifications for new posts here on Joyous Lessons and are no longer doing so, you may need to re-request to follow. You'll find the subscription box over in the right sidebar. As always, thanks for following along. I really appreciate your readership.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have a great week!</div><br />Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-15951783403936004762021-09-12T16:58:00.001-07:002021-09-12T16:58:17.947-07:00Midterm Review :: Fall 2021<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiD3PxF083YMBc3Cg4h89FAjU9TInQeYX3yWZaMpIFoT9y6otMdwQgK2roQ8WRW-oCKBXv2GZE_b2GFp7hmLIFEIsjQlfHGdAGmCQk5fo1B0UATYRSWfJ64YBFdyUIkW9REwZYfCD83F_/s4032/20210907_123451.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiD3PxF083YMBc3Cg4h89FAjU9TInQeYX3yWZaMpIFoT9y6otMdwQgK2roQ8WRW-oCKBXv2GZE_b2GFp7hmLIFEIsjQlfHGdAGmCQk5fo1B0UATYRSWfJ64YBFdyUIkW9REwZYfCD83F_/w400-h300/20210907_123451.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">studying da Vinci to prepare for a memory sketch</div><p></p><p>Five weeks are behind us in Term 1, with five to go! Last year, on the advice of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/learninghowtolivecm/?hl=en" target="_blank">Amy</a>, I scheduled a break after our first five weeks of school, and I did the same this year. Generally speaking, we don't take many breaks during the school year -- we all work well with a good amount of momentum behind us, and we mostly just like to plug along and enjoy a longer summer. But I found that this midterm break in Term 1 is so nice for reflecting on the school year's start and making adjustments/additions.</p><p>For example, this week, I will be...</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>setting up the next five weeks of art, handicraft, and Italian lessons (I find these easier to plot out in 5-week chunks)</li><li>looking over our term programs to make sure everything I planned has now been incorporated into our routine</li><li>making a few small changes to our timetables (always tweaking as needed!)</li><li>weighing some outside classes/opportunities for fall</li><li>meeting with each student to see if he or she needs any additional support or has had helpful insights to share into our plans or schedule</li><li>doing some final prep for Term 2 and 3 that I didn't get to over the summer (mostly pre-reading for my high schoolers)</li></ul><p></p><p>This break also provides a chance for me to work on some household projects and schedule in some fun. Those early weeks back to school each year leave very little time for either of those things! :) So we'll be cleaning, cooking, running errands, and going on a couple outings, I hope.</p><p>And my older kids won't be completely off school: my Form 3-5 students will do a few readings this week to "get ahead" a bit since we will be missing two days of school in October while I am in Philadelphia. They also have online Latin and Italian classes to attend.</p><p>Some notes on what we have been up to <span><a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-first-two-weeks-2021-2022-school.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">since I last shared</a></span>...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDVLKqP6uO3usfN1-pl4wvfR21lOWAV3ESO6Rae3VjhKNwVrWrWvhXrTusfe8SEDQaS09tfjWrX3zagicRRrsZCwT8MX9A9XK1Q26FzHxPbgLjtmVTncrhREsM2UJfMKPDlFpc4n5auO6/s3389/20210909_124347.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2458" data-original-width="3389" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDVLKqP6uO3usfN1-pl4wvfR21lOWAV3ESO6Rae3VjhKNwVrWrWvhXrTusfe8SEDQaS09tfjWrX3zagicRRrsZCwT8MX9A9XK1Q26FzHxPbgLjtmVTncrhREsM2UJfMKPDlFpc4n5auO6/s320/20210909_124347.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">raffia handicrafts with the CMEC</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tMd97nPVJsSX34iHOQCzShGvZ9vmpW3mTJjEkvfskMGjyjxde82YnfMPM9gnrl3CUDVVturw9zVSqihz5WYmYU9qfCtx9-e39q8r5_1kGZhHLpe7vFAOKNsgduINn7TkpkjOQwcfh53i/s3553/20210909_102128.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2712" data-original-width="3553" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tMd97nPVJsSX34iHOQCzShGvZ9vmpW3mTJjEkvfskMGjyjxde82YnfMPM9gnrl3CUDVVturw9zVSqihz5WYmYU9qfCtx9-e39q8r5_1kGZhHLpe7vFAOKNsgduINn7TkpkjOQwcfh53i/s320/20210909_102128.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">these two are loving their <a href="https://amzn.to/2XcZ7LG" target="_blank">saint biographies</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW59xifw4C4HoYcfCP4FNJF5ufCt2kEMYngWE4Z08tlEJA9BlI_URWrTE04f_KqC0agt8g6AxZwOUOqLdUARn5PlIXGZnakRUyacqwohXlaFNIWBDTznhCJKYEz4WcroeXa60H1rmkMSoD/s4032/20210908_113553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW59xifw4C4HoYcfCP4FNJF5ufCt2kEMYngWE4Z08tlEJA9BlI_URWrTE04f_KqC0agt8g6AxZwOUOqLdUARn5PlIXGZnakRUyacqwohXlaFNIWBDTznhCJKYEz4WcroeXa60H1rmkMSoD/s320/20210908_113553.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Form 1 reading lesson with a favorite book</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xxEZ_gDeXE4p7Kazi1WVuX9CfDE3-ZQ2g_qhsmO45WC9c0VjtpvmEP9_fodLPQt7fR4SMbzBCZ2dyBO-V41FGz1Yggu7RnEndCcQ0GpSNS5k8_1sCYmVKO_hZuDbhtWFsSuSUc8vmKoW/s3376/20210907_133537.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="2532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xxEZ_gDeXE4p7Kazi1WVuX9CfDE3-ZQ2g_qhsmO45WC9c0VjtpvmEP9_fodLPQt7fR4SMbzBCZ2dyBO-V41FGz1Yggu7RnEndCcQ0GpSNS5k8_1sCYmVKO_hZuDbhtWFsSuSUc8vmKoW/s320/20210907_133537.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">demonstrations with <i>Chemical History of a Candle</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnCM-QfTrzd2I_ljeh3Ek4u4K20vzT85VZXkRnO-EEF2xjXMYfj0XLv_CjtGaZQeuJOuy4x7V5Tq_GZsamRfAEitW4CXgCHmWJgB_TfbER3PPZ9NxLVERd7Am-i21bL9DN2h0fOuBMPny/s4032/20210909_100712.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnCM-QfTrzd2I_ljeh3Ek4u4K20vzT85VZXkRnO-EEF2xjXMYfj0XLv_CjtGaZQeuJOuy4x7V5Tq_GZsamRfAEitW4CXgCHmWJgB_TfbER3PPZ9NxLVERd7Am-i21bL9DN2h0fOuBMPny/s320/20210909_100712.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">buttes and mesas with <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3nsU6d8" style="background-color: white;">Geography from A to Z</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLR0XNtuVCHOikgS9Pz8F2q5At9QSz6oX3l8zEVHKAehyphenhyphen6quaJBPDqOaB-8S3Ly0h2hSCXcwAEtyA9RD8xn0T7vL0dP8xwJTUI-McUIoBuDlPcdTFQeEV3ui024HTDRHfkc2QMREdbdwD/s4032/20210823_124931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLR0XNtuVCHOikgS9Pz8F2q5At9QSz6oX3l8zEVHKAehyphenhyphen6quaJBPDqOaB-8S3Ly0h2hSCXcwAEtyA9RD8xn0T7vL0dP8xwJTUI-McUIoBuDlPcdTFQeEV3ui024HTDRHfkc2QMREdbdwD/s320/20210823_124931.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">working on proportion and shape in flat objects for chalk drawing lessons</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxymG0C-RDeP8F7W3Oq7sVr1RzSzDEIMxAV4R4fJHPzpjXxYpV_XQ7SVRiYdaYbqU7EIqzLspr-6fk8ZlW5nh9_gkutMB_bvnRlcpAAMKX1Qlgmc4MEtl0YAUPk30klGNuzwgpH7GtRLt/s2960/20210903_131254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2960" data-original-width="2952" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxymG0C-RDeP8F7W3Oq7sVr1RzSzDEIMxAV4R4fJHPzpjXxYpV_XQ7SVRiYdaYbqU7EIqzLspr-6fk8ZlW5nh9_gkutMB_bvnRlcpAAMKX1Qlgmc4MEtl0YAUPk30klGNuzwgpH7GtRLt/s320/20210903_131254.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">paper folding and cutting with Kinderleben and Form 1 - a weekly favorite!</div><div><br /></div>We have five weeks of <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2019/10/our-weekly-paintings.html" target="_blank">Weekly Paintings</a> stacked up so far...<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBMiHjssiC8aKgl9bZwpSarEiPvmKU-_PA9fPyueJuqk43f6VBpjax7yV1SjW1wz0RBPSpwMjaxVJ9LXVxbt7rE68QkhhfWxftByIRv402x7b6gyJzplzS_p7dlWQFhEtmniFzyqT65vj/s1080/IMG_20210905_131949_787.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBMiHjssiC8aKgl9bZwpSarEiPvmKU-_PA9fPyueJuqk43f6VBpjax7yV1SjW1wz0RBPSpwMjaxVJ9LXVxbt7rE68QkhhfWxftByIRv402x7b6gyJzplzS_p7dlWQFhEtmniFzyqT65vj/s320/IMG_20210905_131949_787.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28BGyK6aJNxZw34b-MSGDufy1nJLUsqMdQ2bvQpUdbynPuhYyV-blAnpe841dC88ewF__NuyMPRKS8wFC9KXUhYT5PkJTZuy2YhOTk1LVlJZ8G5qs9u3YudiXBJZTDiUlAwK_fM8rujtU/s1080/IMG_20210905_131949_784.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28BGyK6aJNxZw34b-MSGDufy1nJLUsqMdQ2bvQpUdbynPuhYyV-blAnpe841dC88ewF__NuyMPRKS8wFC9KXUhYT5PkJTZuy2YhOTk1LVlJZ8G5qs9u3YudiXBJZTDiUlAwK_fM8rujtU/s320/IMG_20210905_131949_784.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1Ml77FpX9oZyn-3Sc989YmmwVaeMo_Orp0racwu4-cUIUKNhzQJggjZBZqGvtSfQHb99qIGytwyk91zlDcrPORyBgLOVIv3QuLMUGTYiA1r8qfF8chXdk8SjaZrLXj65HN8xg7Udlx7-/s1080/IMG_20210905_131949_780.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1Ml77FpX9oZyn-3Sc989YmmwVaeMo_Orp0racwu4-cUIUKNhzQJggjZBZqGvtSfQHb99qIGytwyk91zlDcrPORyBgLOVIv3QuLMUGTYiA1r8qfF8chXdk8SjaZrLXj65HN8xg7Udlx7-/s320/IMG_20210905_131949_780.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-MihWRdf1YpuHF-yABTuUoaaHUX6mio-tpCb8CT-Hppxhl9_BEW1rNe5UG5424j6ERdHj-6yIT2wVPcJ0P2pcl72VUyI2Zim02PCzuWmm4OST-Vrow4Fyf0HD4bOyF-k1xjhnA_ABXyD/s1080/IMG_20210905_131949_769.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-MihWRdf1YpuHF-yABTuUoaaHUX6mio-tpCb8CT-Hppxhl9_BEW1rNe5UG5424j6ERdHj-6yIT2wVPcJ0P2pcl72VUyI2Zim02PCzuWmm4OST-Vrow4Fyf0HD4bOyF-k1xjhnA_ABXyD/s320/IMG_20210905_131949_769.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePjEuLZpxjS_8X4KGYOfXZ59S4wEySD3fAlC-MdA6kxlFiZPzmG9pdmsJL7mvZkDnUHhqsTveVi0F9vp3WepyoSkh_Tbxvx1XbHghWTZn-wR-VMj3y-vmZQQQH8xnBF2KsBENkOC3Eqqw/s2048/20210912_162618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2047" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePjEuLZpxjS_8X4KGYOfXZ59S4wEySD3fAlC-MdA6kxlFiZPzmG9pdmsJL7mvZkDnUHhqsTveVi0F9vp3WepyoSkh_Tbxvx1XbHghWTZn-wR-VMj3y-vmZQQQH8xnBF2KsBENkOC3Eqqw/s320/20210912_162618.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I love both the variety and the similarities: there are three Evangelines, three Baby Moseses, and one of the Louis XIV looks quite a lot like the pair of Charles IIs! :)<br /><p>This can be a difficult season to get outside in California -- it is still so hot and dry in September! But I am grateful that this summer has been so much better than the past few years; no days of wildfire smoke yet here in the South Bay. I am also grateful for our nature group for motivating me to get out with the kids weekly.</p><p>For example, we had a fun exploration of oak galls a couple weeks ago...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UrW3iQuSjpXR3LCfMZltJALnJBAjrEBO7nMD1tq5GZdQNvoybzk1dbhg0vFooX9varAt1WSUcJQ3_0Jtp4EM4mkrPsJt-qUG1VOjtRdu9kZVq10FeqmCD6z52Dz5UMoMihyYAzg09xQy/s1080/IMG_20210903_132344_914.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UrW3iQuSjpXR3LCfMZltJALnJBAjrEBO7nMD1tq5GZdQNvoybzk1dbhg0vFooX9varAt1WSUcJQ3_0Jtp4EM4mkrPsJt-qUG1VOjtRdu9kZVq10FeqmCD6z52Dz5UMoMihyYAzg09xQy/s320/IMG_20210903_132344_914.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4-KiXcoLxDX7G89HrtrSlXG67gcTbFkbENjQ3yZwPT7lbCYI5khAr2CiRaEhuCTM_4dGVojMknM4-HKFJvFrxUrQKT-G3cM3x_XyK-AxBIMBMFbmSdfxj8rz1M0wHa9IB5F70nmMtFRx/s1080/IMG_20210903_132345_057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4-KiXcoLxDX7G89HrtrSlXG67gcTbFkbENjQ3yZwPT7lbCYI5khAr2CiRaEhuCTM_4dGVojMknM4-HKFJvFrxUrQKT-G3cM3x_XyK-AxBIMBMFbmSdfxj8rz1M0wHa9IB5F70nmMtFRx/w320-h320/IMG_20210903_132345_057.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTq6bkNY-sT1T_TF_kX_2rCH2Xp9l1o-r1vuEqd7A2wOatcX_Z4ElG9QejR8MDksooE25EDX5cN7XxJSPWRR-gyql1n4K-27VlHVRKWeldagZ2Fgdkjo3GG3LFTwFaC3Y38F_TB0hYrc84/s1080/IMG_20210903_132344_812.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTq6bkNY-sT1T_TF_kX_2rCH2Xp9l1o-r1vuEqd7A2wOatcX_Z4ElG9QejR8MDksooE25EDX5cN7XxJSPWRR-gyql1n4K-27VlHVRKWeldagZ2Fgdkjo3GG3LFTwFaC3Y38F_TB0hYrc84/s320/IMG_20210903_132344_812.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdJOdNjeWgtxPNY9z7Hf7YNbfxQ6uFVa3x9fUOykTEBOuv-fW9S-YW5Ge4vGdkV3-05ZsEQ74k3Z76NBFQSyts7ZR5LzftmhUR3aHsgh2FR9WjbjF7K9xdrB5Ygo8KIbuNzrDzD-Pk1Kk/s1080/IMG_20210903_132344_905.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdJOdNjeWgtxPNY9z7Hf7YNbfxQ6uFVa3x9fUOykTEBOuv-fW9S-YW5Ge4vGdkV3-05ZsEQ74k3Z76NBFQSyts7ZR5LzftmhUR3aHsgh2FR9WjbjF7K9xdrB5Ygo8KIbuNzrDzD-Pk1Kk/s320/IMG_20210903_132344_905.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6izAcaHzD3DjgZQ0BDd0A_BykQoHBWQin7i_J0BiBl49XJNqE2wCjiXPkGWKCALTjGoq53sbCrzS83HQ2BlMckBLvhyvpfC3h65sjcVMYYuCcFyP1n8fqRi3DZ9LcjYeXpV1vSEHb_rl/s1080/IMG_20210903_132344_897.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6izAcaHzD3DjgZQ0BDd0A_BykQoHBWQin7i_J0BiBl49XJNqE2wCjiXPkGWKCALTjGoq53sbCrzS83HQ2BlMckBLvhyvpfC3h65sjcVMYYuCcFyP1n8fqRi3DZ9LcjYeXpV1vSEHb_rl/s320/IMG_20210903_132344_897.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lNQB-cZYyOz91eLQIRXwLMV6KN9LhJ6ZD3_3R5m2teZtKtEAwTzjk1pEmrEfBa9erjPNXnAX1cSjLyJbBqIvfZc2W0r0MaLEEJKJ98MSjQsdrFYhfubiXRpS8EKlXUNNxihBxa0imJUe/s716/IMG_20210903_132344_855.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="716" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lNQB-cZYyOz91eLQIRXwLMV6KN9LhJ6ZD3_3R5m2teZtKtEAwTzjk1pEmrEfBa9erjPNXnAX1cSjLyJbBqIvfZc2W0r0MaLEEJKJ98MSjQsdrFYhfubiXRpS8EKlXUNNxihBxa0imJUe/s320/IMG_20210903_132344_855.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Amazing, right? Other weeks we have studied milkweed and doveweed, which are slowly going to seed right now. Our family has been doing a special study on birds this term. We have had some lovely early morning walks to make our daily observations -- with our eyes and our ears! (I had to buy a new copy of our favorite <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3E9mrel" target="_blank">Backyard Birdsong</a></i> book after too much play!) Cool late summer mornings are such a balm. </div><div><br /></div>A wonderful addition to our school year has been our local CMEC co-op, which we are having every other Friday instead of nature club. I will have to write a separate post about how we have structured our group and the subjects we are tackling together. It has been such a joy for me and for my kids! The families involved are all kind and committed. It's fun to learn with friends. :)</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6lccsd1hle_yO8qdTsk6cvC6tSlOBTRDXutRmPutv6_8nyKxYi2JAONoQLmKtp13_hxNPTJFTF3avmAADu6nytveqyoYIn8oEivAchP9GkN2kxVd8AghwxxMGPXpF1INygr85IJo48zM/s4032/img_8381.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6lccsd1hle_yO8qdTsk6cvC6tSlOBTRDXutRmPutv6_8nyKxYi2JAONoQLmKtp13_hxNPTJFTF3avmAADu6nytveqyoYIn8oEivAchP9GkN2kxVd8AghwxxMGPXpF1INygr85IJo48zM/s320/img_8381.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dj4G7Dyynw1vYnzcFKafZk_BSTQeyyOwm71aD9jC2HG6l4lKmKCAnHBnsnIvFzmiZOC6lZdGbd_4HZEsHK-U9hwSygMApGR4UPmW3nNKqr8z_k8ME9OTuY_tgzgUW6JGCfdQUSyHUOq1/s4032/20210910_111908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dj4G7Dyynw1vYnzcFKafZk_BSTQeyyOwm71aD9jC2HG6l4lKmKCAnHBnsnIvFzmiZOC6lZdGbd_4HZEsHK-U9hwSygMApGR4UPmW3nNKqr8z_k8ME9OTuY_tgzgUW6JGCfdQUSyHUOq1/s320/20210910_111908.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXd2ZtJhXeSN_0LvxRSxyq7UQ4L0Mj7_oKPDAezGdG59AwIiBG5hXNy8egMdsr0HVgLcQBZxXfAg2ACo3l5qd_o_g87M7j9f7yo7d3_FLtBLR1grQbKnnGdjcmAsR9ETxbQ2BszlLO-wNX/s1080/Screenshot_20210903-175951_Instagram.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="1080" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXd2ZtJhXeSN_0LvxRSxyq7UQ4L0Mj7_oKPDAezGdG59AwIiBG5hXNy8egMdsr0HVgLcQBZxXfAg2ACo3l5qd_o_g87M7j9f7yo7d3_FLtBLR1grQbKnnGdjcmAsR9ETxbQ2BszlLO-wNX/s320/Screenshot_20210903-175951_Instagram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRieOu8aS_wfCvDvl0dE09g8WaplJ7NO4BSLPlukQECliXuGTY0L-5lOzqAR27NNJYP8Pl-Z-fWrndpqNohYSWoFU0IiQ054tA3Z2wAQI5ltu92t_wdTtgUEMwFpDHMMcLwmmg2MBvev32/s4032/20210827_105311.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRieOu8aS_wfCvDvl0dE09g8WaplJ7NO4BSLPlukQECliXuGTY0L-5lOzqAR27NNJYP8Pl-Z-fWrndpqNohYSWoFU0IiQ054tA3Z2wAQI5ltu92t_wdTtgUEMwFpDHMMcLwmmg2MBvev32/s320/20210827_105311.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYdt0PkmOE_0r-zVY4jFQTuvmI7WWImf5XHE2jjXwLiwx5bNbsYCoLxIy_ndtLeNR-iUkPZjzgpINVICNfGFDTAnOygfVJyA8hrDUYD8PCHDe3t1KAQ49gYBkJgFkEGKCwEp-vo2996iI/s4032/20210827_091512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYdt0PkmOE_0r-zVY4jFQTuvmI7WWImf5XHE2jjXwLiwx5bNbsYCoLxIy_ndtLeNR-iUkPZjzgpINVICNfGFDTAnOygfVJyA8hrDUYD8PCHDe3t1KAQ49gYBkJgFkEGKCwEp-vo2996iI/s320/20210827_091512.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>More on that another day!</p><p>So do you take a break early in the fall? And how is your school year going so far?</p><p><i>(Links above may be Amazon affiliate links. Thanks for your support!)</i></p></div>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-45057650964459613022021-08-22T14:43:00.004-07:002021-08-22T14:43:59.723-07:00The First Two Weeks :: 2021-2022 School Year<p>Two weeks in and we are back in the rhythm of lessons!</p><p>I am struck by the "joy in living" that the Mason feast brings. We have a full timetable but a varied and delightful one.</p><p>I think the photos express it better than words could...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPO1F_8RiIjlj3lyBouixa0oQBe61U3p523hcJnAjpQVj1SK-LuR3I9bTgG_U3bgI6Hu7QoNsEDoxfm1uwemTK-DW-ZIXqeBLApbMSknzpQVKoRyqDWsHBkyW3Glyx9jWg3eJenGlnxDUQ/s3600/20210809_074306.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2743" data-original-width="3600" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPO1F_8RiIjlj3lyBouixa0oQBe61U3p523hcJnAjpQVj1SK-LuR3I9bTgG_U3bgI6Hu7QoNsEDoxfm1uwemTK-DW-ZIXqeBLApbMSknzpQVKoRyqDWsHBkyW3Glyx9jWg3eJenGlnxDUQ/w400-h305/20210809_074306.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">first day fun</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fSShUbjNa8Ym39Q5G_W4EdKWaksrLUVar8_RcIJNSwZLVBN0_geMHS8nER8Wyn_hteuH6CqfiDxdLsQPlIIqLDHTQIPH9v3LEFGr8AyZBrjqzjbEOTl9BO3bXQnEVD5-qt15cy6oRIzP/s4032/20210809_101813.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fSShUbjNa8Ym39Q5G_W4EdKWaksrLUVar8_RcIJNSwZLVBN0_geMHS8nER8Wyn_hteuH6CqfiDxdLsQPlIIqLDHTQIPH9v3LEFGr8AyZBrjqzjbEOTl9BO3bXQnEVD5-qt15cy6oRIzP/w400-h300/20210809_101813.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">American history with Form 1A</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHt-mxgTwV8lxFKQYWAJFKiMETVVvDVFg8kTq7SZ0WDNJTIM6ObK0fdfJ7SNV9AXRdp1zjA1AUN2monsLJd-X7Urei7EA8CIUzKsEmpYWoYCIAvVj7D2EE8ixnQdSBgXMv2AH0NrFaFIws/s4032/20210809_091915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHt-mxgTwV8lxFKQYWAJFKiMETVVvDVFg8kTq7SZ0WDNJTIM6ObK0fdfJ7SNV9AXRdp1zjA1AUN2monsLJd-X7Urei7EA8CIUzKsEmpYWoYCIAvVj7D2EE8ixnQdSBgXMv2AH0NrFaFIws/w400-h300/20210809_091915.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Big Kids working on math, geography, and writing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMD-DQkqqvwCEMT-fwSAdFL5j_LLuM0-HkH3_gr04FDW-FISzEBpIkcUTSUnb8AbvFlimfGRNQ5WyGzNVA32rVXuacfsZjfxArjHJL9pT8l7zY5IZZn-NsPjihlwbdloNacMkgyr4nSeFr/s3948/20210809_124029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3948" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMD-DQkqqvwCEMT-fwSAdFL5j_LLuM0-HkH3_gr04FDW-FISzEBpIkcUTSUnb8AbvFlimfGRNQ5WyGzNVA32rVXuacfsZjfxArjHJL9pT8l7zY5IZZn-NsPjihlwbdloNacMkgyr4nSeFr/w400-h306/20210809_124029.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">first clay lesson of the year - brussels sprouts from the fridge! :)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkKh7uIQ58CuWTUisnNsCkjh0lVuOnZXxvAvKmgAe1KULm8ZF9U8diDtiOw4ml92nBE2azSeTdVJiEqGx6GYcb5F5YM7HDzheMLiuCFaHud5_U8pruC5D4GF4EeqTtV-iZ5fE6BsWBy5f/s4032/20210810_131947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkKh7uIQ58CuWTUisnNsCkjh0lVuOnZXxvAvKmgAe1KULm8ZF9U8diDtiOw4ml92nBE2azSeTdVJiEqGx6GYcb5F5YM7HDzheMLiuCFaHud5_U8pruC5D4GF4EeqTtV-iZ5fE6BsWBy5f/w400-h300/20210810_131947.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Chemical History of a Candle</i> for Form 2A and 3</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjlSEQuETtO_PORxnvT7t8sM-PtLGPQ5oXUSjtnkFe6lZ3K7I4BHvhDQ9_xaHFq3wuHkOXM3CuyB909P5ZEQgaCDWG9zpn9jEd4uLJCAO86-UvKLcU5riX-TMAJSdIYDMMNRCltw7UNNL/s4032/20210816_111544.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjlSEQuETtO_PORxnvT7t8sM-PtLGPQ5oXUSjtnkFe6lZ3K7I4BHvhDQ9_xaHFq3wuHkOXM3CuyB909P5ZEQgaCDWG9zpn9jEd4uLJCAO86-UvKLcU5riX-TMAJSdIYDMMNRCltw7UNNL/w400-h300/20210816_111544.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">group dictation - a paragraph for Form 2, a page for Form 3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjES5Wy3dusIU64VBmVbRxFOQnUzNn_FHZgzR_zCa7pi2MJz14FuOy1foRlk5YOI5idaEUn6geYjO2WGpJEyiYvEEau2B4DwU-BynEMgwHTVv6S8POGHs21mpAFXSMEK7RcKVcgY0wy_REW/s4032/20210816_125339.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjES5Wy3dusIU64VBmVbRxFOQnUzNn_FHZgzR_zCa7pi2MJz14FuOy1foRlk5YOI5idaEUn6geYjO2WGpJEyiYvEEau2B4DwU-BynEMgwHTVv6S8POGHs21mpAFXSMEK7RcKVcgY0wy_REW/s320/20210816_125339.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWK3FUzWlnNRATY2YI4zbru3wyfSFxFaGfL_hBDAdin6iJx4vEPcpqYmn_Ksc-I1Sk98nX76d0VZR6gYrzIuERyJt8C61sx4Yvpgc2Rxcc43QzFxLGgCiRJUEj_CAwhkSahrynJw02l0L/s4032/20210816_125002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWK3FUzWlnNRATY2YI4zbru3wyfSFxFaGfL_hBDAdin6iJx4vEPcpqYmn_Ksc-I1Sk98nX76d0VZR6gYrzIuERyJt8C61sx4Yvpgc2Rxcc43QzFxLGgCiRJUEj_CAwhkSahrynJw02l0L/s320/20210816_125002.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSBmuQW4izLQsPiqaU-1BbjDsOTY7MhcXczW_IazjtxZQ81lFNTSB-WNam8jaT-Otw-qhnx16sngZ7OAkKJoTomdkMXGHdLztN8f-gmXZFa7FP6mF3D-oqKl64D67BiakPPm4-aZ_7pa3/s4032/20210816_125039.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSBmuQW4izLQsPiqaU-1BbjDsOTY7MhcXczW_IazjtxZQ81lFNTSB-WNam8jaT-Otw-qhnx16sngZ7OAkKJoTomdkMXGHdLztN8f-gmXZFa7FP6mF3D-oqKl64D67BiakPPm4-aZ_7pa3/s4032/20210816_125039.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsmDMuaGhhlxLLtE6nOM6xv2lylvUWcbCRAjorbS1tfv7swXoo_lvoG0rHMDQkiTGNHizXYTo5R45_h5vM5xq5zFQOjOORlgtrzuDPwZmEIwfdcGD8U-DM94Wt4RjsmiaHSKjE0kEceVe/s4032/20210816_125319.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsmDMuaGhhlxLLtE6nOM6xv2lylvUWcbCRAjorbS1tfv7swXoo_lvoG0rHMDQkiTGNHizXYTo5R45_h5vM5xq5zFQOjOORlgtrzuDPwZmEIwfdcGD8U-DM94Wt4RjsmiaHSKjE0kEceVe/s320/20210816_125319.jpg" width="240" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSBmuQW4izLQsPiqaU-1BbjDsOTY7MhcXczW_IazjtxZQ81lFNTSB-WNam8jaT-Otw-qhnx16sngZ7OAkKJoTomdkMXGHdLztN8f-gmXZFa7FP6mF3D-oqKl64D67BiakPPm4-aZ_7pa3/s320/20210816_125039.jpg" width="240" /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY76FxIe50fXE91Y_gvw6mhyZBNDTrscEeY270kQI6QzcG6FTe6hBxBVV6FHSf253aPOBKE0tdttzpm5E6XtMltmi6ZKdfa65cuKR2l7bBaGVMBXnQ6z9uDOPVSNtN_lvCex-zPaFijm0f/s4032/20210816_125538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY76FxIe50fXE91Y_gvw6mhyZBNDTrscEeY270kQI6QzcG6FTe6hBxBVV6FHSf253aPOBKE0tdttzpm5E6XtMltmi6ZKdfa65cuKR2l7bBaGVMBXnQ6z9uDOPVSNtN_lvCex-zPaFijm0f/w400-h300/20210816_125538.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">brush drawing from the yard</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSCo5mwFBXDQucPGwj-UJT3BoVk99R0XJZRVDNZBEP54NsjAQkeLbJv0BRj0aEL65LGv0VyokXg7_mi4gLMuwjIFFyuayqQmnAQ-6uHDv9bajW45LqOR7yjA-FaU-oS92VOwW5mZQQTON/s4032/20210817_105702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSCo5mwFBXDQucPGwj-UJT3BoVk99R0XJZRVDNZBEP54NsjAQkeLbJv0BRj0aEL65LGv0VyokXg7_mi4gLMuwjIFFyuayqQmnAQ-6uHDv9bajW45LqOR7yjA-FaU-oS92VOwW5mZQQTON/w400-h300/20210817_105702.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">sloyd with Form 1 and 2B</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zanpkTCnbbGbv2EasQAy6G0e18y-v7q2rU_lWN22kxwksa77IxwzvDajvnDylbDhC7QU7tnNYhcpjkXf9NwhxaXaF9LZuC0XY3YZyZ_RvCAr8q0ZiJmkR0qHgroGLbEo70MuRL3o_drf/s4032/20210818_124233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zanpkTCnbbGbv2EasQAy6G0e18y-v7q2rU_lWN22kxwksa77IxwzvDajvnDylbDhC7QU7tnNYhcpjkXf9NwhxaXaF9LZuC0XY3YZyZ_RvCAr8q0ZiJmkR0qHgroGLbEo70MuRL3o_drf/w300-h400/20210818_124233.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Da Vinci this term</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyf_XBF3v9aXCh0jUc03tK-R-vyu6I3a127JviquXpHqTjaf0V4ROzri4rkrds1qxzdujN2VncTcslTbfgcA7NQjPqPwQ1xaP6UD6j9OwNGbI3t21Z7olM7XQeGxDEE4T_pN5EiKJ-kUpA/s3463/20210819_100145.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2812" data-original-width="3463" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyf_XBF3v9aXCh0jUc03tK-R-vyu6I3a127JviquXpHqTjaf0V4ROzri4rkrds1qxzdujN2VncTcslTbfgcA7NQjPqPwQ1xaP6UD6j9OwNGbI3t21Z7olM7XQeGxDEE4T_pN5EiKJ-kUpA/w400-h325/20210819_100145.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">noticing stem length and leaf arrangement with Buckley's <i>Plant Life</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDANaHGkNg4j7cZh3WQDlHDAoLu7toJtbgA-F-rGFp3B4gVhoZC-bpX5GBWUvWq3_qqYyLyZw4rbN0wTxi5tKsXGVojynNLFeI1KoEBFLPi7DxzxF9qt4XVcwNMLoPU_ZUkbGFWWDJT5vA/s4032/20210819_104626.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDANaHGkNg4j7cZh3WQDlHDAoLu7toJtbgA-F-rGFp3B4gVhoZC-bpX5GBWUvWq3_qqYyLyZw4rbN0wTxi5tKsXGVojynNLFeI1KoEBFLPi7DxzxF9qt4XVcwNMLoPU_ZUkbGFWWDJT5vA/w400-h300/20210819_104626.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">islands and archipelagos in the sand tray</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOIJXXEOZzSp2vPhVPd-blhEUVJYAoSqdDU2k-mfPw0wjzOiNEhW_6LAacY0JlFsERAm23vYuN0GorQCyYYPkeCRmRbFc07kirFbz3GUrwLio7oAvVek0haDCsnuCZu8r4AezXxEEs3D1/s4032/20210819_135341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOIJXXEOZzSp2vPhVPd-blhEUVJYAoSqdDU2k-mfPw0wjzOiNEhW_6LAacY0JlFsERAm23vYuN0GorQCyYYPkeCRmRbFc07kirFbz3GUrwLio7oAvVek0haDCsnuCZu8r4AezXxEEs3D1/w300-h400/20210819_135341.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">chromatography experiment for high schoolers</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefP8mcKFXyVt2iiM3p0HG4G1c2MWQ38ppuciD6tuuM8shfNNV8wRVQkoRZQdDS-vPqmPzDtJ2OxzsbPXuiArT2LcZkEdE3sfRTWcR59M2m2j6phTrA92rsOcLFOF8wz0-h95BIRXHdpNe/s3754/20210820_101359.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2991" data-original-width="3754" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefP8mcKFXyVt2iiM3p0HG4G1c2MWQ38ppuciD6tuuM8shfNNV8wRVQkoRZQdDS-vPqmPzDtJ2OxzsbPXuiArT2LcZkEdE3sfRTWcR59M2m2j6phTrA92rsOcLFOF8wz0-h95BIRXHdpNe/w400-h319/20210820_101359.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">nature journaling -- finally a bit of cool weather!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMiB8K53nvbWqjG9Jel4W3BxUTFY0jnReMWvwPbrKg6vcWC2qbfpwy_3I7cJkFjvqmRvc1lMONgy7k95JY9_VvAiOf6g-PbB2RAIhsklUOU6LusYExklldiHJt0PkZxN2cSdpc7gcEy1w/s4032/20210820_100518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMiB8K53nvbWqjG9Jel4W3BxUTFY0jnReMWvwPbrKg6vcWC2qbfpwy_3I7cJkFjvqmRvc1lMONgy7k95JY9_VvAiOf6g-PbB2RAIhsklUOU6LusYExklldiHJt0PkZxN2cSdpc7gcEy1w/w400-h300/20210820_100518.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><i>Joyous lessons</i> has always been my goal. Progress, peace, growth. and joy -- these motivate me to take up my homeschooling responsibilities as my profession, with diligence and regularity (as Mason says in <i>Home Education</i>).</p><p>A few notes about our year so far:</p><p>:: I switched to mostly-morning school from naptime school this year. We have done the bulk of our school during naptime for the past decade, so it was a big shift! But with the ages I have this year, it was good timing to try a new arrangement to our day. So far, so good! </p><p>:: The high schoolers work roughly 9-3 (with a half hour break for lunch) four days a week. I work from 9-11:40 with the Form 1, 2, and 3 kids -- parts together, parts independently. At 11:40, we meet as a family for movement (dance or drill), singing, and recitations. After lunch (12-12:30), we have one subject together (art, handicraft, arist study, composer study), and then Form 1 (and sometimes Form 2) are finished. Two days a week we have one subject after that: Shakespeare or Plutarch and then Form 2B is finished. Form 2A and 3 have another reading to complete a couple days a week, and Latin homework and Italian copywork or grammar on the other days, but they are done by 1:30.</p><p>:: Fridays are light for everyone. The Form 1 and 2 kids don't have any scheduled lessons, Form 3 has two readings, and the high schoolers have math, Italian, grammar, and one of their science readings. This coming week we will start a every-other-Friday co-op which will make those Fridays a bit fuller but the rest of the days of those weeks a bit shorter.</p><p>:: I currently meet with my high schoolers twice daily: for five minutes at the beginning of each school day and for about ten minutes at the end of each school day. At our morning meeting, I give them any notes for the day and "seed thoughts" I want to offer for their lessons. At our afternoon meeting, I read three narrations from each of them: Bible, science, and history (all of which they write narrations for daily). This allows our Weekly Meeting, which we have on Friday afternoons, to be a bit shorter. I do roughly the same thing in the afternoons with my Form 3 student.</p><p>:: I still have a weekly prep session during which I set up my planner for the week and pre-read any books I didn't get to over the summer. It takes me about an hour. I pre-read our Bible reading on Sundays, which takes an additional half hour or so -- the older Forms have separate Bible reading from my younger kids, so each Sunday I am reading from Exodus, Mark, Ezra, Mason's <i>Saviour of the World</i>, and various commentaries.</p><p>:: The set-up for my timetable, planner, and logbook is the same as <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2020/11/my-planning-tools-for-2020-2021.html" target="_blank">last year.</a> I still love it! It is my brain on paper.</p><p>I'll share more practical bits later, but suffice it to say I am delighted with our start to the year! It has been such a rich couple weeks. There are challenges and it can be quite tiring to manage so much -- don't get me wrong. But what a gift to spend my life guiding small persons into large ones. And the "books and things"! Living ideas drive me as much as they do my students.</p><p>Have you started your school year? What is your favorite subject so far?</p>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-48654455240563705312021-08-09T15:05:00.000-07:002021-08-09T15:05:15.745-07:00{This and That} :: Back to School!<p>Well, we are officially back to school!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaiThS2cEC0_o7FEv9StdafcgNEvVfhT1dWgOy6DYAVcQLZLi_w_qDLTOFytV3FW4eRZSagv8lxM8sV6IoQS5b5ex8UaR-IkMnOHfr4ou1L11FPI2P30XPCtXJYSIqquRwguaPLCcp9PK/s3477/20210807_114951.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3477" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaiThS2cEC0_o7FEv9StdafcgNEvVfhT1dWgOy6DYAVcQLZLi_w_qDLTOFytV3FW4eRZSagv8lxM8sV6IoQS5b5ex8UaR-IkMnOHfr4ou1L11FPI2P30XPCtXJYSIqquRwguaPLCcp9PK/w640-h556/20210807_114951.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I can't believe my oldest two are sophomores this year! I also have a middle schooler, four elementary students, a kindergartener, and two littles.</p><p>I hope to share throughout the year here about our schooling adventures! I'm going to try to get a post up in the next couple weeks with some early reflections, a peek at our timetable, and an update on plans and lessons.</p><p>You can also find more day-to-day snaps over on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/celeste_cruz/?hl=en" target="_blank">@celeste_cruz</a>. (My account is currently public, so even if you don't have an Instagram account, you can follow along. I think of it like a micro-blog. :))</p><p>~~~</p><p>I got back a few weeks ago from a whirlwind trip to the East Coast with <a href="https://www.thecmec.org/" target="_blank">the CMEC.</a> We hosted Summer Gatherings in three cities over four days: Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Washington DC!</p><p>My trip started off with a cross-country flight that was delayed twelve hours and became an unexpected red-eye. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKByBELzZO05okiav_EwwFC6AnD_ILpkPhfQAURPOqCQ1roPsdX1EXiug17EY15SMwrVFMvqyzisR6qik9yiAyX7ycx1VC372J3kruKZg3sMRT2dP5EIu701McwfsScu0cFjnge9I1GgWE/s4032/20210713_192031.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKByBELzZO05okiav_EwwFC6AnD_ILpkPhfQAURPOqCQ1roPsdX1EXiug17EY15SMwrVFMvqyzisR6qik9yiAyX7ycx1VC372J3kruKZg3sMRT2dP5EIu701McwfsScu0cFjnge9I1GgWE/s320/20210713_192031.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4N8biuyzj3gqDLLAi-HTcrew6V0tSud326ms8Wnmd_BYJJKJzpMjlsSeBYgN09bSyLHbAmkAnoTfcWcZROuqpgkwnGEXlFi-ckPzv-Z1obbVZKfc5l99kmOy2he7jrH_-h6E0Ch3HxT46/s4032/20210714_024816.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4N8biuyzj3gqDLLAi-HTcrew6V0tSud326ms8Wnmd_BYJJKJzpMjlsSeBYgN09bSyLHbAmkAnoTfcWcZROuqpgkwnGEXlFi-ckPzv-Z1obbVZKfc5l99kmOy2he7jrH_-h6E0Ch3HxT46/s320/20210714_024816.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div><p>I got to Philadelphia early Wednesday morning, and our first event was that afternoon. Somehow I managed to give my talk and lead everyone through brush drawing on an hour's sleep -- it was so heartening to see friends and meet new moms that the adrenaline carried me through! And the team from The Mason Academy who hosted the event did a stellar job.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkO43Eg_8XqaK-KkAvdg3W_t6yxCOLqcTH8-XWnrT1IEMwoPUX_srNyzcnQUsnM5oEkoPKVon9QOCZghmH8gDF-NnV37vmMZn36CY6EDh92IUr7psPlbcrPL81r6sDkGDqKI45Xm0YKLE/s836/1627078317678_0320021415_77ebc26b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="836" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkO43Eg_8XqaK-KkAvdg3W_t6yxCOLqcTH8-XWnrT1IEMwoPUX_srNyzcnQUsnM5oEkoPKVon9QOCZghmH8gDF-NnV37vmMZn36CY6EDh92IUr7psPlbcrPL81r6sDkGDqKI45Xm0YKLE/w400-h245/1627078317678_0320021415_77ebc26b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>The next day, Amy and I drove to DC and flew to Atlanta. We were met at the airport by CMEC member <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mommabuggy/?hl=en" target="_blank">Melissa</a>, who hosted us at her beautiful home and acted as our driver. Wonderful Southern hospitality -- she was an absolute delight!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJ128gYY2RJvNz0q8KiL4QH9k_BgSZ6U2FGKQ9mOFgiwx8Z5M4ppnuqVCJw-Zq78hyPX6M9EecJ1OC9YKPh9jjYvoL9ZyqZe2MmdDTNNrbc4BL7zypgm6FeFI7jskWHAVI9jCEV3PPg8X/s800/1627078284686_0278387799_77ebc26b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJ128gYY2RJvNz0q8KiL4QH9k_BgSZ6U2FGKQ9mOFgiwx8Z5M4ppnuqVCJw-Zq78hyPX6M9EecJ1OC9YKPh9jjYvoL9ZyqZe2MmdDTNNrbc4BL7zypgm6FeFI7jskWHAVI9jCEV3PPg8X/w400-h300/1627078284686_0278387799_77ebc26b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>On Friday was our Atlanta event, hosted by our friend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/heathertullyphotography/?hl=en" target="_blank">Heather</a>. I first met Heather when she and her littlest flew out for a CM West retreat a few years ago. Now it was my turn to pay her a visit, and I was thrilled to be able to meet her husband and children too. Heather and her team ran an organized and inviting afternoon for families in the area, and the moms that were able to attend were so interesting and kind.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7cn4YcszJNF9TAff_6wqvGMYICjiRwALDrIIruDxjXnugXPErKYa7g8eziFhI_arHoF_9TrjiblOk5fM2A7ooZViyNboc5zJsTzBd_2kxfqwsuN3eHKxS3OsM28oIx-UbtbT7MUtkjW-/s1200/1626519329125_0014154590_b363e528.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7cn4YcszJNF9TAff_6wqvGMYICjiRwALDrIIruDxjXnugXPErKYa7g8eziFhI_arHoF_9TrjiblOk5fM2A7ooZViyNboc5zJsTzBd_2kxfqwsuN3eHKxS3OsM28oIx-UbtbT7MUtkjW-/s320/1626519329125_0014154590_b363e528.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60FXLJ7kJAU_ZrOmjczUcD0YimGwoRhe9Y92aU2lR0JTKRPbYqF3eY_zLVrxnKPb7k1-2CIfm58teTa2HbojGOFN7Gb6svfUWUL5dDw8RmidrWm5TUx-DIfLA3_J7OqnYncCxTM4kbB7D/s4032/20210716_132740.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60FXLJ7kJAU_ZrOmjczUcD0YimGwoRhe9Y92aU2lR0JTKRPbYqF3eY_zLVrxnKPb7k1-2CIfm58teTa2HbojGOFN7Gb6svfUWUL5dDw8RmidrWm5TUx-DIfLA3_J7OqnYncCxTM4kbB7D/w400-h300/20210716_132740.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAUuLrP5bDcdk2CbfZwujkGxjWQV8PTFt5ADZLeXlD0Ei46A8jCHHQkt9DdAZbyMhyphenhyphenfw-rIlx4U5cV-yeQ6GO2mVownAOV1QsjEAm_4t5_S1-hhWBCiq6sZdpKx_RAEclhY3IYORIppEx/s4032/20210716_124618.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAUuLrP5bDcdk2CbfZwujkGxjWQV8PTFt5ADZLeXlD0Ei46A8jCHHQkt9DdAZbyMhyphenhyphenfw-rIlx4U5cV-yeQ6GO2mVownAOV1QsjEAm_4t5_S1-hhWBCiq6sZdpKx_RAEclhY3IYORIppEx/w400-h300/20210716_124618.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Her church had a lovely space for us to use, and her friend Brittny hosted us at her home for a delicious dinner. All the green I saw in Atlanta was a balm to my dried-out-Cali-summer soul!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2GHOX_uyfFndrObnBcT82YcuznDHlraFjmX3UVyGwX_MIR-9fi1VAabUCN88YcdCWoUe6AGH-cnL-S4-oHDJqdldR2B9mU_AtpLYWdDB5htNjD_U7gFQW3GRO_14Jc2uWIbcS9UI71fJ/s1200/1626519337471_0077210573_b363e528.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="978" data-original-width="1200" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2GHOX_uyfFndrObnBcT82YcuznDHlraFjmX3UVyGwX_MIR-9fi1VAabUCN88YcdCWoUe6AGH-cnL-S4-oHDJqdldR2B9mU_AtpLYWdDB5htNjD_U7gFQW3GRO_14Jc2uWIbcS9UI71fJ/w400-h326/1626519337471_0077210573_b363e528.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Early the next morning, Amy and I flew back to DC for the event there that afternoon. This was our biggest event of the three -- the church was packed with mothers and babies!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwJ4RInaElnWjkhdaGchmWABL5yTG9Wh0kXZGDEirj6Zr6a-wRhuPl_OhtPaANmdY7sh15EA5V-P7HTNWCmGRXeocFGPuy67fzWJt8JMfs4JD9OKwoj0MwU8vWK3PPi_q3cS6xW9t9jpz/s4032/20210717_155029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwJ4RInaElnWjkhdaGchmWABL5yTG9Wh0kXZGDEirj6Zr6a-wRhuPl_OhtPaANmdY7sh15EA5V-P7HTNWCmGRXeocFGPuy67fzWJt8JMfs4JD9OKwoj0MwU8vWK3PPi_q3cS6xW9t9jpz/w400-h300/20210717_155029.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgME083mPaq5KIZo3UCRr6ye2G-Wr4m19fnMYoeEGwOUH7vx8njh6uoB6i_70gLOhbAl1rM2hXWHTsonCBx6V4vx5FGeFVmMBpn8VgwV9GWmQeTdqUbiZAY8WP3K-FaSSG_cfJfwzDH0rvz/s4032/20210717_155032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgME083mPaq5KIZo3UCRr6ye2G-Wr4m19fnMYoeEGwOUH7vx8njh6uoB6i_70gLOhbAl1rM2hXWHTsonCBx6V4vx5FGeFVmMBpn8VgwV9GWmQeTdqUbiZAY8WP3K-FaSSG_cfJfwzDH0rvz/w400-h300/20210717_155032.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhb0iqvZVHCdeEoNS4bnckbCm8n-6YuD_l1O4OEVE0i_GZMf72YeFzrY-nWvjxC1FnwLOoIcHs4nLJjmaAWkn57MjAdQSFcxLVhpuSGrLdjLF3XR60kOEr4J-To13Lkba4CYUPc-kDdrV/s3864/20210717_152303.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2577" data-original-width="3864" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhb0iqvZVHCdeEoNS4bnckbCm8n-6YuD_l1O4OEVE0i_GZMf72YeFzrY-nWvjxC1FnwLOoIcHs4nLJjmaAWkn57MjAdQSFcxLVhpuSGrLdjLF3XR60kOEr4J-To13Lkba4CYUPc-kDdrV/w400-h266/20210717_152303.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The DC crowd had so much energy and lots of vibrant conversation. I got to meet some ladies I have known online for ages (which was the case at each event!).</p><p>Immediately after the DC event, we drove back to Philadelphia, arriving in the middle of a huge downpour. We don't often have lightning and thunder in California, so it was a fun treat for me! The next few days were spent in meetings, talking through all of our plans for the coming year -- so much easier to do in person than online like we usually work. </p><p>I was never fully able to make up for the lost sleep of that first night and spent a good chunk of the week in a bit of a daze! But there were so many grace-filled meetings and moments.</p><p>Speaking of the CMEC: registration for the 2021-2022 School Year will be closing August 30th! We are excited about all the new families and groups who have joined us this year. There has been so much energy at our meetings this summer, and we have our big Kick-Off coming up August 16th.</p><p>If you're not yet on our contact list but would like to get updates on the CMEC, <a href="https://www.thecmec.org/" target="_blank">head over to sign up</a>! And if you're interested in our offerings, request an Information Packet to see samples and video tours of our curriculum and our website.</p><p>~~~</p><p>I mentioned this above and on social media but didn't get a chance to formally share here: Gianna finished her first novel, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Cuf4NS" target="_blank">Four Red Banners</a></i>!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiileYEOSmbcEsZek9YJpdr23dQjwGbLL7KX3UxpGf54pwW6ybZ2rq8KFJtquB0UYGdumxVho-JktOju0s5Kx_tvxzR3hN08dhGjWSckbedR4-yctuSiK-BYg5YAnMgCurgmshsGJN54oeG/s3010/20210707_165123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3010" data-original-width="2932" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiileYEOSmbcEsZek9YJpdr23dQjwGbLL7KX3UxpGf54pwW6ybZ2rq8KFJtquB0UYGdumxVho-JktOju0s5Kx_tvxzR3hN08dhGjWSckbedR4-yctuSiK-BYg5YAnMgCurgmshsGJN54oeG/w390-h400/20210707_165123.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>This has been a big project for her over the past two years, and I'm so proud of her for seeing it through with such enthusiasm and dedication!</div><div><br /></div><div>The first draft of the book was told to her younger sisters, night after night at bedtime. In the weeks following, she would write by hand each chapter. She spent months typing it up once written, and about a year editing, formatting, and designing the book. Writing is her passion, and the characters of <i>Four Red Banners</i> are so real to her and her siblings that they seem almost to be part of our family.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a story of civil war, treason, and intrigue with strong male friendships, a budding (and very wholesome) romance, and a mysterious bit of fantasy. I see so much influence from the many, many good books she has read over the years, from Alcott's <i>Eight Cousins</i> to Chesterton's <i>The Ballad of the White Horse</i>, to more modern favorites like Eloise Jarvis McGraw's <i>Mara, Daughter of the Nile</i> and Rosemary Sutcliff's <i>Knight's Fee</i>. Those little echoes have been so delightful and heartening to find.</div><div><br /></div><div>We have gone back and forth about the age recommendation for this novel -- I think perhaps 10-13yo is the sweet spot for homeschool students, but my 8-9yos also love it, as did teen friends. She has been thrilled to get such great feedback so far!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3Cuf4NS" target="_blank">Read more here</a>.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>~~~</div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of writing: thanks to Gianna's inspiration over the past few years, my younger kids have become very dedicated storytellers as well. Here is Andrew's latest. If you are familiar with <i>Four Red Banners</i>, you may notice some sweet similarities!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFy-cnsYSDNvutec52r_kVmP-TDE7bheCSwb3VZIj5hxcvu5tQBtMAUGKwDNqBbGtSrdCbUHxlFVrITb2wplov9CCV5vXqMT87jLU4FaMeQVXrTYiACuFDZUuKCMmMbQ_Hn-cxZU4hHB6/s4032/20210725_123934.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFy-cnsYSDNvutec52r_kVmP-TDE7bheCSwb3VZIj5hxcvu5tQBtMAUGKwDNqBbGtSrdCbUHxlFVrITb2wplov9CCV5vXqMT87jLU4FaMeQVXrTYiACuFDZUuKCMmMbQ_Hn-cxZU4hHB6/s320/20210725_123934.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85XnvKM429FDrlJsqgf8b7Ez0EG4UDktmsXFcWlHhJaSvHxtqtgsgqLe0gmadvUVRCW_B7F1NyyqHxJlbwEF7m1nwAiMJQChH4NDOoteFUOViE0041dsBROlelB6gAIvN5ANKEa_25gJH/s4032/20210725_123943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85XnvKM429FDrlJsqgf8b7Ez0EG4UDktmsXFcWlHhJaSvHxtqtgsgqLe0gmadvUVRCW_B7F1NyyqHxJlbwEF7m1nwAiMJQChH4NDOoteFUOViE0041dsBROlelB6gAIvN5ANKEa_25gJH/s320/20210725_123943.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoBRpX4pTiJU8zI8ZHKy_2lXEXfvGYZM36GNT7NdlOuC9v2D5UQsv-UpUWhKV55LqcbHERgHmm4dNAnVzmwZjd0ON0153XAF4k-kmo4-qMWE6bpR19IZUKIv_rrRJHl6dAzyTDFzoBIVK/s4032/20210725_123953.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoBRpX4pTiJU8zI8ZHKy_2lXEXfvGYZM36GNT7NdlOuC9v2D5UQsv-UpUWhKV55LqcbHERgHmm4dNAnVzmwZjd0ON0153XAF4k-kmo4-qMWE6bpR19IZUKIv_rrRJHl6dAzyTDFzoBIVK/s320/20210725_123953.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATMV_KqLvAfbE7MDBplTqNDKUgGqJlCO4nd2PSQuFr0cU5Xkfga-T34-Q8pKfWRXNZFsa9vLOSlIl0AvehqrITfLY1BDMBcPmEJMakLh0oeSHAMBxIs4gsRZMUt11P6EFycTWzSh0d7U6/s4032/20210725_124001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATMV_KqLvAfbE7MDBplTqNDKUgGqJlCO4nd2PSQuFr0cU5Xkfga-T34-Q8pKfWRXNZFsa9vLOSlIl0AvehqrITfLY1BDMBcPmEJMakLh0oeSHAMBxIs4gsRZMUt11P6EFycTWzSh0d7U6/s320/20210725_124001.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>~~~</div><div><br /></div><div>And because I can't resist, a couple cute (albeit blurry) baby pics. Emilia is 18 months old! Almost all of her pictures have this funny little smirk -- doesn't she just ooze adorable mischief?!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSh8QV4Oj7wYghlAeJMqTZsXg3yJkhyphenhypheniZuTWfQiFSvs1-luIAvnmje51-mQVTzOSoJPL6wVNG6AXt7virdBw8wn9gM1P6vvPXI49iLUqd-f2CqjyQyFGTHVZ68-NpEkFkOSi9iLFtxDRc/s2141/20210725_142218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2141" data-original-width="1473" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSh8QV4Oj7wYghlAeJMqTZsXg3yJkhyphenhypheniZuTWfQiFSvs1-luIAvnmje51-mQVTzOSoJPL6wVNG6AXt7virdBw8wn9gM1P6vvPXI49iLUqd-f2CqjyQyFGTHVZ68-NpEkFkOSi9iLFtxDRc/s320/20210725_142218.jpg" width="220" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7W0anm7NjQLEOzdSOCSAb8teuITU_xaDt8IG2xQL9hQjkqCkibOOoG5Ro58xcTglIXmt_BnnwYFtbAHbC7pXdneBoXfcQJok9cuxFFCj9XONG5WauhHBJ1MM-CnBJCZ-JzRlIhu9vFN8u/s2592/20210721_142725+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7W0anm7NjQLEOzdSOCSAb8teuITU_xaDt8IG2xQL9hQjkqCkibOOoG5Ro58xcTglIXmt_BnnwYFtbAHbC7pXdneBoXfcQJok9cuxFFCj9XONG5WauhHBJ1MM-CnBJCZ-JzRlIhu9vFN8u/s320/20210721_142725+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div><br /><div>~~~</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll be back soon with an update on lessons and a little post I'm pulling together about summer routines.</div><div><br /></div><div>When do you start back to school?</div>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-23308099675325158832021-08-02T09:20:00.006-07:002021-08-08T15:01:10.727-07:00Catholic History and Religion :: 2021-2022 School Year<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDj46-4V8kp4VlNFz5IqEy3pP9l2wNXVt3hhH6hUX5ckOlHARRPXHXml_PkItXR6v3CyVSpMSxBaoHTvfkylcDcVpfiFVnAaiy6yXgeOQOOik5XBLUMtvQUBH6GD85IoKuLTVwyclqyhqH/s4032/20210802_075641.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDj46-4V8kp4VlNFz5IqEy3pP9l2wNXVt3hhH6hUX5ckOlHARRPXHXml_PkItXR6v3CyVSpMSxBaoHTvfkylcDcVpfiFVnAaiy6yXgeOQOOik5XBLUMtvQUBH6GD85IoKuLTVwyclqyhqH/w640-h480/20210802_075641.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I meant to get this up earlier in the summer! But the break has been quite busy, and I'm just now getting the chance to sit down and complete my school plans -- including our Catholic reading for the 2021-2022 School Year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">This year, I will have seven formal students plus a kindergartener, in Form 5 (two 10th graders), Form 3 (7th grader), Form 2 (4th and 6th graders), Form 1 (2nd and 3rd graders). My two littles (ages 4 and 1) will be along for the ride! Once again, we will be using <a href="https://www.thecmec.org/">the CMEC</a> mostly as written for all Forms.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I wrote up our plans for last year here: <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2020/07/catholic-history-and-religion-2020-2021.html" target="_blank">Catholic History and Religion :: 2020-2021 School Year.</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here, I'll be offering some specific suggestions for books that tie into the 1650-1800 time period we are studying this year in American, English, and world history, and some additional resources I am drawing on for our regular religion studies.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLm2uYc89S579J1v98KxlLKktdeXD3DB6APbVrnoqIqFcaBtvcNZD5PB4fcP_G57DrHjFs6f_FUXSYp55URgU53_n3P9OO9zysBwfUiqhFwNFBnU8DCf2sTJtR3-8hSrTo4NaSZi054yfw/s4032/20210802_080059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLm2uYc89S579J1v98KxlLKktdeXD3DB6APbVrnoqIqFcaBtvcNZD5PB4fcP_G57DrHjFs6f_FUXSYp55URgU53_n3P9OO9zysBwfUiqhFwNFBnU8DCf2sTJtR3-8hSrTo4NaSZi054yfw/w400-h300/20210802_080059.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><p><b style="font-family: inherit;">Bible</b></p></b><p></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2682457774245843924/2330809967532515883#" target="_blank">As I explained last year</a>, the CMEC follows the PNEU in scheduling Paterson-Smyth's books as a complementary resource for Bible lessons, and I will be using them in my preparation as well.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I like to take his suggestions and combine with Catholic resources, so I rely on </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2W39jmT" target="_blank">Knecht's <i>A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture</i></a> as well<span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">. This tome (it's a thick one!) provides a Catholic perspective on both Old and New Testaments, from historical background to theological and doctrinal connections to application. I have used it in various ways over the past few years and always with good results. It is a thorough but usable reference. </span></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">This year's section on Moses and Exodus, which will be our Old Testament reading for Forms 1-3, also includes </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">nice images and diagrams helpful for our Book of Centuries. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will also be using these two references in preparing to go through the Gospel of Mark with Form 1 and 2.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>For my older kids' reading of the prophetic books, <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I am trying out a PNEU-recommended commentary for high school Bible that looks promising. I have already pulled the relevant sections from the Catholic Encyclopedia at New Advent for them to reference as well.</span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;">For New Testament, my Form 3-5 students will read the gospel alongside Charlotte Mason's <i><a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/saviour-of-the-world-by-charlotte-mason" target="_blank">Saviour of the World</a></i>, which I just love. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>They will also a study of Acts this year alongside <a href="https://amzn.to/3fgIqW3" target="_blank"><i>The Acts of the Apostles</i> by Ellen Knox</a>. This PNEU book happens to be written by the aunt of Ronald Knox, author of <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3xiAHwE" target="_blank">The Creed in Slow Motion</a></i> and <i>The Mass in Slow Motion</i>, two favorite books around here! Here's how my friend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kyndrasteinmann/" target="_blank">Kyndra </a>explains the connection: </div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">Monsignor Knox' father was the Anglican Bishop of Manchester and a staunch evangelical (so staunch in fact that he cut his son out of his will upon his conversion to Catholicism). One of Monsignor Knox' brothers was an influential Anglo-Catholic priest who never could quite make the move to Rome. Both men were influenced by John Ruskin. Monsignor Knox was a friend of G.K.Chesterton and Frances Chesterton was the first secretary of Charlotte Mason's PNEU! Some of the best and brightest minds of late nineteeth/early twentieth century Britain and they all knew one another.....</div></blockquote><div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">In all of our lessons, we will be readin</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">g directly from our favorite translation, <a href="https://amzn.to/38t0SpD" target="_blank">the Douay-Rheims</a>. Each of my Upper Forms students has <a href="https://amzn.to/3jhHEcm" target="_blank">his or her own copy to use</a>, and I use mine for the younger kids. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">We rely often on <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2Vcw8XU" target="_blank">The Dore Bible Illustrations</a></i>. I have used this volume for years and it so handy to have these scenes so reverently and beautifully illustrated all in one place!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">As a side note: our <a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/tbg-songbook-2021-22"><i>TBG Songbooks</i> from Riverbend Press</a> include the Bible passages for the year in the King James Version, so I print ours in the Douay-Rheims and tape it in for our recitations. And for the terms that schedule a hymn we have already covered, we will work on reciting the additional verses of that hymn but also add in a Latin hymn to learn.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHmwnKBC7q7ZuPV6o08agxwtVQ7E_5noIBykQNykYYH1o-gtJaiPQL6BveyyLFeWCjubog7KhrSH81kZwAgleiafauXOW1vxtoXzHR14CFdY8C5dhMriERwEFE577NdQsG4VAwIQl7880/s4032/20210802_075748.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHmwnKBC7q7ZuPV6o08agxwtVQ7E_5noIBykQNykYYH1o-gtJaiPQL6BveyyLFeWCjubog7KhrSH81kZwAgleiafauXOW1vxtoXzHR14CFdY8C5dhMriERwEFE577NdQsG4VAwIQl7880/w400-h300/20210802_075748.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><div><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></b></div>Catholic Historical Supplements</b></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">This coming year, we will be studying about 1650 through about 1780 (ending just before the French Revolution) along with the CMEC. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Right now, I have the books listed below lined up on my shelves. I'll be spending the week ahead making final selections and getting them sorted by student and term!</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Form 1</i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">My Form 1 students will read a couple of the easier American saint biographies from the list below since they are only studying American history so far. When they come around to this period in Form 2 or 3, they will have the chance to read the others.</span></div><div><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><i>Form 2 and 3</i></b><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><div><br /></div><div>Most of these are from the Vision series or the American Background Series newly being reprinted by <a href="https://www.hillsideeducation.com/index.php/nature-study-and-history/" target="_blank">Hillside Education</a>. This isn't an exhaustive list -- just what we have on our shelves.</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3rL9iT7" target="_blank">Betz's <i>Priest on Horseback: Father Farmer (1720-1786)</i></a> (new to us this year)</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3fgEdBJ" target="_blank">Heagney's <i>De Tonti of the Iron Hand and the Exploration of the Mississippi</i></a> (new to us this year)</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3A2xB1U" target="_blank">Lomask's <i>Charles Carroll and the American Revolution</i></a> (such a good biography of this Catholic signer)</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3C7pVNq">Steffan's <i>Padre Kino and the Trail to the Pacific</i></a> (scheduled as travelogue by the CMEC) and <a href="https://amzn.to/3C5q44c" target="_blank">Clark's </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3C5q44c" target="_blank">Father Kino: Priest to the Pimas</a> </i>(Father Kino's life was one of charity and adventure, and we love that he was in the West!)</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/2TLS6jG" target="_blank">Sheehans' </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/2TLS6jG" target="_blank">Pierre Toussaint: A Citizen of Old New York</a> </i>(scheduled by the CMEC -- a fabulous and heart-wrenching story)</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3jgNhb3" target="_blank">Boesch's <i>The Cross in the West</i></a> (a Western overview)</li><li><span style="background-color: white;"><span>Two books about St. Junipero Serra: <a href="https://amzn.to/3jgX8NJ" target="_blank">Roos' <i>The Royal Road</i></a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/3yjhi03" target="_blank">Demarest's <i>The First Californian</i></a> (unfortunately these are both out of print -- </span>I </span>used Demarest's book with my older kids)</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3C6uRlJ" target="_blank">Hindman's <i>Mathew Carey: Pamphleteer for Freedom</i></a> (scheduled by the CMEC -- so inspiring and so many connections to other figures we are reading about this year)</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3fj8AqY" target="_blank">Connolly's </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3fj8AqY" target="_blank">Saint Philip of the Joyous Heart</a> </i>(my older kids read an adult bio of St. Philip last year and so enjoyed it -- what a great saint!)</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3C5FzJi" target="_blank">Windeatt's <i>St. Louis de Montfort </i></a>(among the longer Windeatt books)</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3jbFFXh" target="_blank">Sr. Osiek's <i>St. Rose Philippine Duchesne: A Heart on Fire Across Frontiers</i></a> (just ordered -- haven't read this year)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>I just ordered these from Hillside to add to the options:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3A2yyau" target="_blank">Hopkins' <i>Colonial Governor: Thomas Dongan</i></a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3jeiDyY" target="_blank">Buchanan's <i>Don Diego de Vargas: The Peaceful Conquistador</i></a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3rUtiCL" target="_blank">Grant's <i>Adventurous Lady: Margaret Brent of Maryland</i></a></li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>And a few Vision books we read last year that would still make good choices for those who haven't:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3C5DKfr" target="_blank">Derleth's <i>Father Marquette and the Great Rivers</i></a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3ylrUvc" target="_blank">Brown's <i>Kateri Tekakwitha, Mohawk Maiden</i></a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3zWDaPh" target="_blank">Lomask's <i>Saint Isaac and the Indians</i></a></li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEbXJgCLtsCUFPdi0kp0vl2qPLxF-l4LISR4wC3k2seKJLxzkWRE32LOWj4hIX3olHwN9wLVuWDI1SE2Ap9hTmGwz083m6CM2O7wvmnRUQgmzC3K4kMSew8ck2gviqw0OrVCdpYEFtSLs/s4032/20210802_075950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEbXJgCLtsCUFPdi0kp0vl2qPLxF-l4LISR4wC3k2seKJLxzkWRE32LOWj4hIX3olHwN9wLVuWDI1SE2Ap9hTmGwz083m6CM2O7wvmnRUQgmzC3K4kMSew8ck2gviqw0OrVCdpYEFtSLs/w400-h300/20210802_075950.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><i>Form 4 & 5 (High School)</i></b><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">For the older kids, I have a bunch of books in various categories. Most of these will be for Sunday reading and leisure reading, with a few scheduled in the Catholic history block on their timetable. (As always, p</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">lease preview before handing to your high schoolers</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">.)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br />Spiritual classics written during the period:<br /><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3C4bYQu" target="_blank">Blessed Claude Columbiere's <i>Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence</i></a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3jgODTb" target="_blank">St. Louis de Monfort's<i> True Devotion to Mary</i></a> and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3fkr4Yr" target="_blank">The Secret of the Rosary</a></i></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3iit4Ch" target="_blank">St. Francis de Sales' <i>Introduction to the Devout Life</i></a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3j5Jtcs" target="_blank">Jean-Pierre De Caussade's <i>Abandonment to Divine Providence</i></a></li><li><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3idXntG" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">The Sermons of St. Alphonsus Ligouri for Every Sunday of the Year</a> </i>(to dip into all year)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>Saints lives:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3rUtvG3">The Autobiography of St. Margaret Mary</a></i></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3luDYqm" target="_blank">Bolton's T<i>he Padre on Horseback</i></a><i> </i>(this is a short but more challenging book about Padre Kino)</li><li>And I will have my high schoolers read the autobiographies of Pierre Toussaint and Mathew Carey listed above for sure, as well as any additional books from the Form 2 & 3 list that they would like to. They may also like Roos' <i>Royal Road</i> since it has been almost five years since they first read about Fr. Serra and if I remember right, that book weaves various issues of European politics into the narrative and is a bit more challenging than the Demarest.</li></ul></div><div><div><br /></div><div>During the Catholic history block on their timetable:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Selections from Kevin Starr's <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3lkTipN" target="_blank">Continental Ambitions</a></span> and <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3zUASjq" target="_blank">Continental Achievement</a></span></li><li>Selections from Carroll's <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3fmo5OX" target="_blank">The Cleaving of Christendom</a> </span>and <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3C9pBOu" target="_blank">The Revolution Against Christendom</a></span></li><li>And for reference: <a href="https://amzn.to/3fmdGTz" target="_blank">Vidmar's <i>The Catholic Church Through the Ages: A History</i></a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/2V8RHJ0" target="_blank">Lovasik's <i>St. Joseph Church History</i></a>.</li></ul></div><div><div><br /></div><div>Catholic historical fiction: I don't own much Catholic historical fiction written about this period for teens/adults. If you have any good recommendations, let me know! The CMEC has already scheduled <a href="https://amzn.to/3yoiUpi" target="_blank">Willa Cather's </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3yoiUpi" target="_blank">Shadows on the Rock</a>,</i> which is a personal favorite of mine.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Fun side note: this isn't a Catholic book, but Gianna liked <a href="https://amzn.to/3C3JFld" target="_blank">Belloc's <i>Characters of the Reformation</i></a> so much last year that I knew we had to have some Belloc in the mix, so I picked up a used copy of his <i><a href="https://amzn.to/37dLlu5" target="_blank">Six British Battles</a></i>, most of which fall during this year's time period. Belloc's uniquely religious perspective on history is evident even when he is writing on secular topics, so I am hoping we will enjoy this supplement.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Other Notes on History</i></b></div></div><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/history-of-england">Arnold-Forster's <i>A History of England</i></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/history-of-england"> </a>and </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3dTI8AU" target="_blank">H.E. Marshall's <i>Our Island Story</i></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> are both written from a Bri</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">tish, </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Anglican perspective. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">love the books and think they are certainly worth using! I can't really imagine our homeschool without them. However, I do edit here and there and supplement with Catholic reading as described above for a more balanced view. With this approach, I think my students get to understand how the viewpoint of the author colors his or her work.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Some chapters Catholic families may want to preview:</span></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><div><div><div><span><i>Our Island Story</i> (for the chapters scheduled to coincide with this time period, not the chapters assigned to Form 2B by the CMEC this year): chapter 83 (I would question some of the arguments against King James), chapter 85 (I edit)</span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i>A History of England</i>: chapter 61 (I would discuss these translations in relation to Catholic ones), chapter 64 (I edit sections of "Why King George Found a Welcome")</span></div></div></blockquote><div><div><span><br /></span></div><div>The CMEC's high school history texts, which are written from a secular perspective, are quite nuanced and well-balanced. If I'm being picky, the only issue I see in this year's selections from <i><a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/mmt" target="_blank">Medieval and Modern Times</a></i>, for example, is that Robinson has the typical negative view of the Middle Ages and positive view of Voltaire and Rousseau. But he acknowledges diversity of opinion and I think the way he states his thoughts makes for good discussion and is a useful part of the students' intellectual development. Overall I really like his approach and it will be well-balanced with the Catholic history books we will be reading alongside.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsukvDeTlS367iy3XntElmhSXYsDRa6SG1EcEDEdfvIe-qDi1BefGqlL4VndOiwJlTtrrp0eWbZsK8xPn_iyIZBBD5IxLFp-M2_Arn6aLjWHVTTNf-mJEIqPekWG0ct1imIioPJMTcl4j/s4032/20210802_075911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsukvDeTlS367iy3XntElmhSXYsDRa6SG1EcEDEdfvIe-qDi1BefGqlL4VndOiwJlTtrrp0eWbZsK8xPn_iyIZBBD5IxLFp-M2_Arn6aLjWHVTTNf-mJEIqPekWG0ct1imIioPJMTcl4j/w400-h300/20210802_075911.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><b style="font-family: inherit;">Religion Reading</b></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I always schedule religion reading in a few different categories:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">saints' lives (assigned by Form, listed above under history because they are also biographies)</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">spiritual reading (assigned by Form)</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">liturgical year reading (usually as a family, with additional for high schoolers)</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">specific sacramental prep (as needed, assigned individually)</span></span></li></ul><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I'll start with that last category first...</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>Sacramental Prep</i></b><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">This year, I have just one preparing for First Holy Communion! You can read about my</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"> plans </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2013/05/preparation-for-first-holy-communion.html" target="_blank">here</a> </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">and</span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2020/07/catholic-history-and-religion-2020-2021.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I plan to spend a half hour with my Form 1 students every Sunday going over some of the basics: catechism, rosary, Mass, etc. We will be drawing on some favorite resources like <i><a href="https://www.staugustineacademypress.com/treasure-and-tradition-the-ultimate-guide-to-the-latin-mass/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Treasure and Tradition</a></i>, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2TRZ2vQ" target="_blank">Leading Little Ones to Mary</a>, </i><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3jgSm37" target="_blank">The Secret of Mary Explained to Children</a>, </i>and some of the books from my list <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2020/07/catholic-history-and-religion-2020-2021.html" target="_blank">last year</a> (listed under "For My Younger Kids").</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>Liturgical Year</i></b><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">This year, we will be reading from </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2VNWWLj" target="_blank">From Advent to Epiphany</a></i><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> and </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2VLGlaE" target="_blank">From Epiphany to Lent</a> </i><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">by Fr. Patrick Troadec at breakfast. We will also continue</span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><a href="https://amzn.to/38wjUvf" target="_blank"><i>A Character Calendar</i></a><i>, </i>which has been a favorite with my younger students. And we're moving through our re-read of <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3zUyEAG" target="_blank">First Communion</a></i>! (We are about two-thirds finished.)</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>Spiritual Reading</i></b><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><u style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For Form 2 and 3</u><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br />Cate's reading through Acts will take her some time on Sundays as well, I think, so I have scheduled my Form 2 kids to read <a href="https://amzn.to/3lmO2lw" target="_blank">Marigold Hunt's <i>First Christians</i></a>. Then all three of them will read<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3zYL5vm" target="_blank">Mother Loyola's <i>Forgive Us Our Trespasses</i></a>. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">(Last year they read </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3f3WMXt" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Mother Loyola's <i>Hail, Full of Grace</i></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> and </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2BvmMg9" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Marigold Hunt's <i>A Book of Angels</i></a>, so we are continuing with the same authors!<span style="font-family: inherit;">)</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For the Older Kids</u><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">My older kids' spiritual reading is mostly covered above under history above; their spiritual reading and saint biographies will be tied to the historical period they are studying.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm also thinking about adding to their shelf a few other books for particular liturgical seasons. For example, my kids always enjoy some additional reading for Lent and Advent. Currently on the short list:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3fjuOcu" target="_blank">Houselander's <span style="font-style: italic;">The Reed of God</span></a> (for Advent)</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3jfG76C" target="_blank">Father Patrignani's <span style="font-style: italic;">A Manual of Practical Devotion to St. Joseph</span></a> (for Lent)</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3rLb9Y5" target="_blank">Chesterton's <span style="font-style: italic;">Orthodoxy</span> </a>(the rest of the year -- one of my high schoolers specifically requested more Chesterton!)</li></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have a few others I thought about trying to fit in but think I will save them for next year. These are certainly meaty enough! ;)</span></div><div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">~~~</span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I hope this helps those studying the Revolutionary period with us this fall! I can't wait to dive in.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Any wonderful books I should add to the list above? Let me know in the comments!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">(Amazon links above are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!)<br /></i></span></div></div>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-33086374033423239972021-07-26T08:48:00.000-07:002021-07-26T08:48:27.115-07:00Five Fun Additions to Our School Year<p>Hi there! It's hard to believe, but we have just a few short weeks left until we begin a fresh year of homeschooling. Before we do, I thought I would share a few <i>fun </i>highlights from last year! In no particular order...</p><p><b>Family Century Charts</b></p><p>Because we are all studying the same time period in history, we chose to do a large-scale collaborative century chart for Forms 1-4 this past year! This was in addition to the various other history tools my students were keeping, depending on age: timeline, Book of Centuries, small century charts, etc.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyjLqykaka36IiUviOQjAiPeuk5uYMitPIEOGT92KfFsFJDWHxcMilCXWOolB7BSIWwhvpLSAMMNwjX9BnRLTo6DwLaL18YegSmkFlLJiYeyN8HVvpa2pqlAouGVQee8pV-b-E3jBFRXw/s4032/20210410_104105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyjLqykaka36IiUviOQjAiPeuk5uYMitPIEOGT92KfFsFJDWHxcMilCXWOolB7BSIWwhvpLSAMMNwjX9BnRLTo6DwLaL18YegSmkFlLJiYeyN8HVvpa2pqlAouGVQee8pV-b-E3jBFRXw/w640-h480/20210410_104105.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>We used some large colored sheets we had on hand (different colors for each century), but I think posterboard would be perfect for this project! Another option would be to use a roll of butcher paper and do the centuries on one long sheet (which is what we will try this coming year, I think!).</p><p>I assigned entries weekly by Form. I had two students in Form 1, two in Form 2, and two in Form 4 last year. Each Form made an entry each week, switching between the older student in the Form and the younger student in the Form. So each week, three entries were made on the charts. My students were free to choose whatever they wanted to add from that week's reading -- usually history, but sometimes literature, composer study, picture study, biography, religion, etc. (Occasionally, my Form 1 kids did not have any new events or people to add since we spent several weeks on the same story at times. So it wasn't a hard-and-fast rule.) </p><p>It was neat to see how the different ages chose to represent their selected people and subjects.</p><p><b>Art, Art, and More Art</b></p><p>Thanks to the support of the <a href="http://thecmec.org">CMEC</a>, we had a blast in art this year! It was the focus of our Fall Mini-Retreat, so we took it up in earnest. We dove into chalk drawing, brush drawing, and clay modeling. We loved the variety and the calm, delightful process of working through these lessons week by week.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8O1nZpXXuPb1bC7oUtAv_5jyVkjsdnsv5HkHDlswYc9z7b945nYyENqBhjQh3DoVcCLYroVqBe4QOQvZ6U9MjO3Le_QK3o0pXCdTzuh2Ru-5QGouDgzp4YRNW0JrdY30_T7_kZAxrRgn/s4032/20210322_141649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8O1nZpXXuPb1bC7oUtAv_5jyVkjsdnsv5HkHDlswYc9z7b945nYyENqBhjQh3DoVcCLYroVqBe4QOQvZ6U9MjO3Le_QK3o0pXCdTzuh2Ru-5QGouDgzp4YRNW0JrdY30_T7_kZAxrRgn/w300-h400/20210322_141649.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MhGN4a2MG9sHTapExPsnCf7TJgBrsYY6CXybbsu38BSe-106FEgmiJC-O97GssTYMkjUWJZZAhz-EGWrVx1e23cyiA-4giXNvIyV5Jtwd63N_uXe-dfu5bJkgc8pDN3Fjtodc2KavF5r/s4030/20210315_141409.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2857" data-original-width="4030" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MhGN4a2MG9sHTapExPsnCf7TJgBrsYY6CXybbsu38BSe-106FEgmiJC-O97GssTYMkjUWJZZAhz-EGWrVx1e23cyiA-4giXNvIyV5Jtwd63N_uXe-dfu5bJkgc8pDN3Fjtodc2KavF5r/w400-h284/20210315_141409.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOFt-tHHRGNTkGHc3Ze6Pmwmk_JxXAehbAjOyePeLKw5iX0ihHUrrtzBkVbwo3r_zAYwtDi7cv1ld2KhGtb3X6iDl3gaCPHdYpt1gPAydrBNGV0fymlt01H7SnCsi1D7TVv3WJkkuRjbS/s4032/20210315_142004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOFt-tHHRGNTkGHc3Ze6Pmwmk_JxXAehbAjOyePeLKw5iX0ihHUrrtzBkVbwo3r_zAYwtDi7cv1ld2KhGtb3X6iDl3gaCPHdYpt1gPAydrBNGV0fymlt01H7SnCsi1D7TVv3WJkkuRjbS/w300-h400/20210315_142004.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11btNy8bsaYb3cpAxm3b-MCSOzqKyvIuLy5XZkPRdAob3pQVn8GbUGuxewZFMyRUdzCx0RNLuHSNoHHj1VVh5YMefjvEbCPrpnU_6rCr640A_AOBoa1qJhGvI0dc4EMg6hu5f22e8z5YB/s3573/20210308_141537.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2420" data-original-width="3573" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11btNy8bsaYb3cpAxm3b-MCSOzqKyvIuLy5XZkPRdAob3pQVn8GbUGuxewZFMyRUdzCx0RNLuHSNoHHj1VVh5YMefjvEbCPrpnU_6rCr640A_AOBoa1qJhGvI0dc4EMg6hu5f22e8z5YB/w400-h271/20210308_141537.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7G9AVd7GNu1jqbZXpIhBInxYsHXByHWl49g4nTUOE8kzmxTt6m1uhoHG7E2aVlp0lt_IXa0kFjKY7HPVZApF32CSXhUR_E5vwOnB26zqOAYsSMfw7Io4kqvKv4c-oEXno-kMpRT-hocvX/s3927/20210308_141339.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3927" data-original-width="2795" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7G9AVd7GNu1jqbZXpIhBInxYsHXByHWl49g4nTUOE8kzmxTt6m1uhoHG7E2aVlp0lt_IXa0kFjKY7HPVZApF32CSXhUR_E5vwOnB26zqOAYsSMfw7Io4kqvKv4c-oEXno-kMpRT-hocvX/w285-h400/20210308_141339.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZL7j2FT3GQhtXFCEajqIlIYRdprroMo79V65daczsRB_Fk-4WVG_4OaLBioXdPS2ZVagy-uX4I3wSjXnGvuoXlBndzxRFd3r3WjvG-D2Am5yn0gbkA1Hi90Mt_psgz20LPGs4tBSdQgl/s4032/20210215_142011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZL7j2FT3GQhtXFCEajqIlIYRdprroMo79V65daczsRB_Fk-4WVG_4OaLBioXdPS2ZVagy-uX4I3wSjXnGvuoXlBndzxRFd3r3WjvG-D2Am5yn0gbkA1Hi90Mt_psgz20LPGs4tBSdQgl/w400-h300/20210215_142011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-mxwcZK11RNCuYJBjXBLtc2ctQxzN8fGmL-42NxPUgjs3rpnOwXAcowZbQdWPBbNtq6iaW1QvPGPD4rCwgeLpKWxtuZmS5GOSder6-UJj1g5150FZsebilVNEGyl9TvV3TUZMP2sZarQ/s4032/20210209_135428.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-mxwcZK11RNCuYJBjXBLtc2ctQxzN8fGmL-42NxPUgjs3rpnOwXAcowZbQdWPBbNtq6iaW1QvPGPD4rCwgeLpKWxtuZmS5GOSder6-UJj1g5150FZsebilVNEGyl9TvV3TUZMP2sZarQ/w400-h300/20210209_135428.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm67uTlvLDwJ7Bpdij6SIkHnZ7JMsOSWMDmfujJBhRiRE7PXlcysOZqDNGMHPxRqceHc-EkBN2WJWx1KSO7BIe-Km9rHOFHLkr_cCO6ObjV6M6jwlgU1P2XLE03RSAdCicSvRadiUrbkE7/s3301/20210208_142021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2459" data-original-width="3301" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm67uTlvLDwJ7Bpdij6SIkHnZ7JMsOSWMDmfujJBhRiRE7PXlcysOZqDNGMHPxRqceHc-EkBN2WJWx1KSO7BIe-Km9rHOFHLkr_cCO6ObjV6M6jwlgU1P2XLE03RSAdCicSvRadiUrbkE7/w400-h297/20210208_142021.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstqizU1erX_-0CS2lF20uZyBk-nnOonQUnJCElfI_SspZ3RuotDuf0MMHpflUSI4wT7aBIHn9qgOs9XhyMAK6wAooW4i9d6hxZmBvphFZ-mrA4VW7bw4TbnHZ5UMyxfpLH6zz8G71ZJvY/s4008/20210119_132810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2534" data-original-width="4008" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstqizU1erX_-0CS2lF20uZyBk-nnOonQUnJCElfI_SspZ3RuotDuf0MMHpflUSI4wT7aBIHn9qgOs9XhyMAK6wAooW4i9d6hxZmBvphFZ-mrA4VW7bw4TbnHZ5UMyxfpLH6zz8G71ZJvY/w400-h253/20210119_132810.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>One of the best things about the PNEU's approach to art instruction is that the assignments are free enough that students of various ages can all work to their ability. This is so helpful in a large family -- or in a co-op setting, where we plan to do some art lessons this coming year. I can't wait for continued work in each medium!<div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Weekly Paintings</b></div><div><p>Speaking of art, this was our fourth year keeping small painted narrations weekly using Artist Trading Cards. (I have written about this more <span style="background-color: white;">here: <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2019/10/our-weekly-paintings.html" target="_blank">Our Weekly Paintings</a></span>.) We had to start a new binder to house them all, and soon I will need to give each student his or her own binder because our collection is growing as the years pass and as I add more students!</p><p>A few pages from this year's studies...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8OzO3Fxzu_BFovnfgCjlB1o2t4Fj4kwkrcXpu8PmwBrJap5fxEcVL5F6DNVzgtqPBCf_AP64YF9tp6GE1BT43Ja7tDxstgFNVAmzFRk9LMcHDSRn3iyE9_-2jPwZ6wVJolN4NafzWFiF/s4032/20210128_115708.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8OzO3Fxzu_BFovnfgCjlB1o2t4Fj4kwkrcXpu8PmwBrJap5fxEcVL5F6DNVzgtqPBCf_AP64YF9tp6GE1BT43Ja7tDxstgFNVAmzFRk9LMcHDSRn3iyE9_-2jPwZ6wVJolN4NafzWFiF/s320/20210128_115708.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTk660Eog_PXtoO_JJezKjWAvQNJl6_mOH0bPj7T-DtJwyCFyF4Ox9unJ-6RZ6q2lKSfyTUjYumVmn7KU1cxiEEsMdOXSHjmrvQs0tRXgfaeQec1aHAUzgQYRcfTJS0-oWeEguaYbG22p/s4032/20210128_115702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTk660Eog_PXtoO_JJezKjWAvQNJl6_mOH0bPj7T-DtJwyCFyF4Ox9unJ-6RZ6q2lKSfyTUjYumVmn7KU1cxiEEsMdOXSHjmrvQs0tRXgfaeQec1aHAUzgQYRcfTJS0-oWeEguaYbG22p/s320/20210128_115702.jpg" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CkJScAOKrAMrV5DahxTDGZUkx4iYsPp0WynJuDDbZTP84bemBIW6JFqaXOGktQRTVgE5tsA_ahA4ozCvdxkNjl6Xl1OsxQaVptMCZH2cnb1iXFsGSf1bfpRE3T07WVREC9z2efL5vPGq/s4032/20210128_115649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CkJScAOKrAMrV5DahxTDGZUkx4iYsPp0WynJuDDbZTP84bemBIW6JFqaXOGktQRTVgE5tsA_ahA4ozCvdxkNjl6Xl1OsxQaVptMCZH2cnb1iXFsGSf1bfpRE3T07WVREC9z2efL5vPGq/s320/20210128_115649.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6dekXKL6UGVaqsCNeHHfUYab-dynZLcEFwM1Jkvp-IGoXVPN9S7yjr5cOpbTg9L8nYTk5CciM2Gq7ZiV8MzIE5LQg4xsllzOA12LN_Z-dZju5Bc9xEaucxwAfzzk4dVcbExgqAitquNx/s4032/20210128_115642.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6dekXKL6UGVaqsCNeHHfUYab-dynZLcEFwM1Jkvp-IGoXVPN9S7yjr5cOpbTg9L8nYTk5CciM2Gq7ZiV8MzIE5LQg4xsllzOA12LN_Z-dZju5Bc9xEaucxwAfzzk4dVcbExgqAitquNx/s320/20210128_115642.jpg" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UuLMgTrli6OTDMavde9tMGDtCnBV-NpJ7eRc7kmM-a0vRPnLjrMCuZajwstB58nJPDOjONf7mTEmJ3MTP0f4n3xUDvy0RFoM_vup5SjsYPF5PFrxKr8XIzg4xBwyygg89vpZz735brmA/s4032/20210128_115620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UuLMgTrli6OTDMavde9tMGDtCnBV-NpJ7eRc7kmM-a0vRPnLjrMCuZajwstB58nJPDOjONf7mTEmJ3MTP0f4n3xUDvy0RFoM_vup5SjsYPF5PFrxKr8XIzg4xBwyygg89vpZz735brmA/s320/20210128_115620.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZHKbZ6RelB32ZLCNbO5vAWeaiG20lGopdZHFGgOSkyPJcyDwVEh5c41Aroy5hyphenhyphen5dB-ixkseGiKcCQr7WJ2vyc2kMmARISlMTSw4Dk7NawznzK7k8SCCtOblQIgSk2H65HbamlE0l-v_E/s3419/20210128_115611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3419" data-original-width="2752" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZHKbZ6RelB32ZLCNbO5vAWeaiG20lGopdZHFGgOSkyPJcyDwVEh5c41Aroy5hyphenhyphen5dB-ixkseGiKcCQr7WJ2vyc2kMmARISlMTSw4Dk7NawznzK7k8SCCtOblQIgSk2H65HbamlE0l-v_E/s320/20210128_115611.jpg" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are a real joy to look through at the end of the year. Each student's particular interests and style shows through so clearly. And we get to see year-by-year growth in their artistic abilities as well!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>The Kitchen Arts</b></div><br />My older girls (and my older sons too) have lots of practical experience in the kitchen and have been helping with family meals for years. But their repertoire has been mostly limited to our regular family rotation of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and desserts.</div><div><br /></div><div>My older girls have been especially motivated to learn some new skills and recipes as they have gotten older. It is so nice for them to gain not just experience, but also independence in the kitchen!</div><div><br /></div><div>We decided to get them <a href="https://amzn.to/3l1WVk7">this cookbook</a> for Christmas. I like America's Test Kitchen's approach, but more than that, I was looking for a comprehensive cookbook that included recipes for all the basics. So many cookbooks feature specialty ingredients and fussy methods on every page that make them challenging to scale up for a crowd (and with a family of 12, we always have a crowd!). This one has a nice balance of new and classic options. I previewed it from the library before grabbing a copy to gift them. (This one is out of print, but <a href="https://amzn.to/3ib8fc5">ATK has other basic options that have great reviews</a>.)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWovMmYhXaS3yj9bPVT8lrrrfXkMr77MwPN6bUrPlOHa5c8gNC1znoBg_MV72bhwzPdMMfJ6_OJ6KJJ5g4JPZNHBtuQEhG9DE2XOj-9grzdogitjjNC7kRJMXkvL9R3lhRtF1Na_0NtIJ/s3359/20201228_100953.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3359" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWovMmYhXaS3yj9bPVT8lrrrfXkMr77MwPN6bUrPlOHa5c8gNC1znoBg_MV72bhwzPdMMfJ6_OJ6KJJ5g4JPZNHBtuQEhG9DE2XOj-9grzdogitjjNC7kRJMXkvL9R3lhRtF1Na_0NtIJ/s320/20201228_100953.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Since then, they have been cooking quite a lot! They have handled all the birthday desserts so far this year and have added several delicious dinners to their rotation.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifG0wtuxcDu_NbHnHiwMDjWhkU6gUwjX_YVzBW2CCSDvc2l0-yo4Mm56zRvAE36PBHPOQAF2EBrzBOgOf_jikJwdqJtkzmPJtuiooogGnvfwK8pNhcBqeFV6fXjpOIIMAHSDMvswWuB5d2/s4032/20201225_161735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifG0wtuxcDu_NbHnHiwMDjWhkU6gUwjX_YVzBW2CCSDvc2l0-yo4Mm56zRvAE36PBHPOQAF2EBrzBOgOf_jikJwdqJtkzmPJtuiooogGnvfwK8pNhcBqeFV6fXjpOIIMAHSDMvswWuB5d2/w400-h300/20201225_161735.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQ8P1GgaCdI4K3MkUJhkxLUJgCY8OUOI9ROWn2sXoJlSSrGwq2oWtYgfAfVnLdeZcRD6tzRG9ZAyNXpHABzvdWo3bMXJ3qDJBq4edCIqGyGM248V1bGqhcU0zVpmyBsA8RnCEU7wl40Vy/s4032/20210106_160223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQ8P1GgaCdI4K3MkUJhkxLUJgCY8OUOI9ROWn2sXoJlSSrGwq2oWtYgfAfVnLdeZcRD6tzRG9ZAyNXpHABzvdWo3bMXJ3qDJBq4edCIqGyGM248V1bGqhcU0zVpmyBsA8RnCEU7wl40Vy/w300-h400/20210106_160223.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_StExfbHx9HVAZ7k6qarbee_IFcjCfiDv4flLvJmyC1GYlpSj8WlwbtK5JoEzb-iU7zIWPSmYkSRjRF1i6DrPf7eLKjS3lF5zPx-Jb99SnDVKG56znodvsHMBZHTvRvZhyphenhyphenieT49kXACA/s3953/20210206_123729.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2587" data-original-width="3953" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_StExfbHx9HVAZ7k6qarbee_IFcjCfiDv4flLvJmyC1GYlpSj8WlwbtK5JoEzb-iU7zIWPSmYkSRjRF1i6DrPf7eLKjS3lF5zPx-Jb99SnDVKG56znodvsHMBZHTvRvZhyphenhyphenieT49kXACA/w400-h261/20210206_123729.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5K0ViLBaKUDQDxKn8QRLqRPkJgienbFPy0pasd8gZiH_6svCdNpjJ2Z-4nLzD23SogCr6MdRtPjyRLvqAAiboORXWVA7JsKwyNM2xmV-rQmxE6clZsZJHS7HwZ9AoLPbAyp6-WPGmzW9/s4032/20210404_094743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5K0ViLBaKUDQDxKn8QRLqRPkJgienbFPy0pasd8gZiH_6svCdNpjJ2Z-4nLzD23SogCr6MdRtPjyRLvqAAiboORXWVA7JsKwyNM2xmV-rQmxE6clZsZJHS7HwZ9AoLPbAyp6-WPGmzW9/w400-h300/20210404_094743.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5aF-XL17X5jiwrMuBenjsZuk3RpwZjL9WzwkRl9LRAEWxH9u4_F4BmaTQ7BtsodCdVUjdvbJzoIabLaNhj0u57_rFMON-Sb6GUy3rIvNwLe5qagjWlGhO02ujQ7JWdXlmNI4SG4TPWki/s4032/20210408_121103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5aF-XL17X5jiwrMuBenjsZuk3RpwZjL9WzwkRl9LRAEWxH9u4_F4BmaTQ7BtsodCdVUjdvbJzoIabLaNhj0u57_rFMON-Sb6GUy3rIvNwLe5qagjWlGhO02ujQ7JWdXlmNI4SG4TPWki/w400-h300/20210408_121103.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCj6bjSbLX2-iMd-bsGzB5INRrw5_5WtZkCCZ3mLihSZVAue_yor1ilZ-r0TaSBW73wW32ALV9SZXTpMVkbHtiqaGcv4WPrv5fgTuKY2rSGqv25cuyaIf94fEeLTkohOENyLA_Mi5wL5g/s4032/20210620_112701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCj6bjSbLX2-iMd-bsGzB5INRrw5_5WtZkCCZ3mLihSZVAue_yor1ilZ-r0TaSBW73wW32ALV9SZXTpMVkbHtiqaGcv4WPrv5fgTuKY2rSGqv25cuyaIf94fEeLTkohOENyLA_Mi5wL5g/w400-h300/20210620_112701.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I also got each of them <a href="https://amzn.to/3eXPkPX">a set of recipe cards and a pretty recipe box</a>. They have been adding recipes as they master them for easy access -- a different way of keeping an Enquire Within Notebook, if you have read <i style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3iS9cou">The Living Page</a></i>. Hoping this fun addition to handicrafts/life skills continues into the new year! </div><div><br /></div><div>And my second son requested his own recipe box this summer! I opted for a <a href="https://amzn.to/3BAyvEa">regular 4x6 index card box</a> for a boy-friendly version. ;)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Handicrafts From the Stash</b></div><div><br /></div><div>For handicrafts work, I have always aimed for (1) progress in skills we already have and (2) development of new skills or work in new media.</div><div><br /></div><div>This year, we took up paper modeling and needle felting in Term 1 and paper modeling and raffia in Term 2 (CMEC video resources). </div><div><br /></div><div>For Term 3, I decided to have them work from our stash. So everyone had a chance to dig through their bins for...</div><div>:: kits and projects waiting to be completed</div><div>:: materials for new plans they wanted to try out</div><div>:: ongoing work they could take up week after week</div><div><br /></div><div>This led to lots of handicrafted gifts for winter and spring birthdays! For example, here is what my littlest, Emilia, received for her January birthday, all crafted by siblings. I love seeing how creative they can be when given the tools and the time.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCu2WgQU858dH5y_n4wP67lsa_Muif4Am4K4PPMyGKNfAjyuGVgZLhH42GiCMAmt1pfdtmKW9r2y0c3bg9jb9O7uerWX6Mnnvk7ssQ4TX14QGmZFWEYPaq7rJ14SBg6CyHOqKai3Mf98lG/s4032/20210119_120516+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCu2WgQU858dH5y_n4wP67lsa_Muif4Am4K4PPMyGKNfAjyuGVgZLhH42GiCMAmt1pfdtmKW9r2y0c3bg9jb9O7uerWX6Mnnvk7ssQ4TX14QGmZFWEYPaq7rJ14SBg6CyHOqKai3Mf98lG/w400-h300/20210119_120516+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"></div></div><div><br /></div><div>And gifts from the middles for Mother's Day (left) and Father's Day (right):</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjYt_3ioihmPW_fqIYnDkns5p73MxGW1jkGW7SXfhaMpH9rPtcjDK4y42OKn4_UV_JOnG2YlZdFLe32t-pvz7kNKFG5KDWjsspBq2HMsp8K7J6KCn-Noyzlo3ySg7OhP_RHkw2o-gnPCp/s4032/20210319_093118.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjYt_3ioihmPW_fqIYnDkns5p73MxGW1jkGW7SXfhaMpH9rPtcjDK4y42OKn4_UV_JOnG2YlZdFLe32t-pvz7kNKFG5KDWjsspBq2HMsp8K7J6KCn-Noyzlo3ySg7OhP_RHkw2o-gnPCp/w240-h320/20210319_093118.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7SzxfALuAZFUhxGVA52nK7jFQ98q4-2RRgqv9d6buDW4LAcpty-sArLk967wDOZka3Kl0AaKwaJ7v_Naod776B3MlEmMC1nChQUq2q6LHkYx1YxfYewsoTq083xHKvGtqZ2PTen_GJIa/s4032/20210620_173016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7SzxfALuAZFUhxGVA52nK7jFQ98q4-2RRgqv9d6buDW4LAcpty-sArLk967wDOZka3Kl0AaKwaJ7v_Naod776B3MlEmMC1nChQUq2q6LHkYx1YxfYewsoTq083xHKvGtqZ2PTen_GJIa/w240-h320/20210620_173016.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>So much worthwhile work in so many different crafts...</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuWdevziwPMD-_LzMM4y2lHJRrasgg28iriHgxrFCqA-jJ64P7axzA9YT8IV7ogGH361L2oKlSC3BaUOowgTqeatnkSzMG1CYRFdejEG890RhMuaUlq8i023XxZ9TJVzJNbnpz1fLu7Z0/s4032/20210625_145103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuWdevziwPMD-_LzMM4y2lHJRrasgg28iriHgxrFCqA-jJ64P7axzA9YT8IV7ogGH361L2oKlSC3BaUOowgTqeatnkSzMG1CYRFdejEG890RhMuaUlq8i023XxZ9TJVzJNbnpz1fLu7Z0/w240-h320/20210625_145103.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9gLLDhJseCZkXZmFBw2B-90JXhTDjdouNuqYNzSXuhnaxb7sfhX97KY9CrmYSklnhtEo_cLH5llYDHGrwqjia0TPkz7F3e2qasKcBvOsxW9ro3urXhjCPzPa3Gl_K1uRS99_ORWPFMFq/s4032/20210427_090822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9gLLDhJseCZkXZmFBw2B-90JXhTDjdouNuqYNzSXuhnaxb7sfhX97KY9CrmYSklnhtEo_cLH5llYDHGrwqjia0TPkz7F3e2qasKcBvOsxW9ro3urXhjCPzPa3Gl_K1uRS99_ORWPFMFq/s320/20210427_090822.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div>My kids are constantly doing some handicraft or another in their free time, but there was something about having a scheduled afternoon block for this work that really invigorated everyone, including my high schoolers. And everyone had the time during the block to organize and cull old supplies too, which was great for us all. I may make this a Term 3 practice every year! </div></div><div><p><b>~~~</b></p><p><b>The real <i>life </i>in our homeschool comes from living materials and living methods -- these are my tried-and-true and make the biggest difference to "joy in living" in our home!</b> But we always seem to have a couple experiments or unexpected additions that blow fresh air into our days.</p><p>As you look back at the past school year and plan for the next, what were some of the fun additions that brought joy to your homeschool?</p></div>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-76940617953084309922021-06-27T13:40:00.004-07:002021-06-27T13:40:35.941-07:00{This and That} :: A Quick Summer Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYMrqNoG414fuanksMQvlvyfTM862VfuzSeBPV7TWrmY5MU11E7kWC6jydQnhw74U1yiDOqySYo4XEg9lpwxt44yrbLuMb_qVhxQzN-HVvrXY5CHUYVDUSe3UqDVpXWCjRIEbCppz4q4X/s4032/20210525_174417.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYMrqNoG414fuanksMQvlvyfTM862VfuzSeBPV7TWrmY5MU11E7kWC6jydQnhw74U1yiDOqySYo4XEg9lpwxt44yrbLuMb_qVhxQzN-HVvrXY5CHUYVDUSe3UqDVpXWCjRIEbCppz4q4X/w640-h480/20210525_174417.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>It has been too long since I have had the chance to sit down and pull a post together here! I have had a couple posts swirling around in my mind -- one on our summer routine (including handicrafts and nature study) and one on some favorite assignments from this past school year. But the time to actually type them out hasn't presented itself. I am hoping for a slower July that will allow for some blogging!</p><p>In the meantime, I thought I would at least jump in with a bit of {This and That}...</p><p>First, some news for those on the East Coast that I didn't want to miss! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Onh3ii207hJPpvSxLymQYddVuaASQvcOVmwgryPDnUl39PzugI-GIOqapdNZ0KXL1TCKDbrZU1lVMUL4pdUUirhX5R9gRlw3dp8-Yl0nkXtf5vvtNsg3u6VvFhvqgNi4heo9Zt5tBCZN/s1080/IMG_20210528_065118_100.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Onh3ii207hJPpvSxLymQYddVuaASQvcOVmwgryPDnUl39PzugI-GIOqapdNZ0KXL1TCKDbrZU1lVMUL4pdUUirhX5R9gRlw3dp8-Yl0nkXtf5vvtNsg3u6VvFhvqgNi4heo9Zt5tBCZN/w400-h400/IMG_20210528_065118_100.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>In lieu of the CMEC Summer Retreat this year, Amy and I will be attending casual afternoon gatherings in three different cities this July. I'll be speaking on Sustaining Practices for the Mother-Teacher, and there will be time for discussion, brush drawing, refreshments, and social time.</p><p>It has been a long time since I have attended any in-person events, and I'm really looking forward to these. Casual, encouraging time spent with other homeschool mothers sounds so refreshing right now! </p><p>As with our Summer Retreat, registration is open to the public, so if you are in the area, please consider joining us. <a href="https://cmec.wildapricot.org/2021CMECSummerGatherings" target="_blank">You can get all the details here.</a></p><p>(And speaking of the CMEC, membership for the 2021-2022 School Year is currently open but will close as fall begins. If you are interested in learning more about our offerings, <a href="https://thecmec.org/" target="_blank">head over to the website</a> and request our Information Packet, which features a video tour of our website, sample programs, and more.)</p><p>~~~</p><p>We have stayed close to home this summer but have still enjoyed some "staycation" fun:</p><p>One of my goals this summer was for the kids to have plenty of opportunities to swim. The older five of my kids are fairly good swimmers, but my younger five have had swim lessons interrupted/delayed due to Covid and needed more time in the water. Once or twice a week, we have been going to the pool for the whole afternoon, then enjoying a picnic and some time at the park. (The kids love playing baseball!)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscb9f0eluQbVgl_yIV6UqahliVefwPx0Qp7OiUca7L15rHQ4a1MSHKLEthdZ7lvMAn8wjpOc08G5UXCrsxPqp5t0kcJBq-rPxRVslXLxHR2DVCRyf9O7zDBYBWBiwVNouuf0o-6dwBhVx/s4032/20210624_165829.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscb9f0eluQbVgl_yIV6UqahliVefwPx0Qp7OiUca7L15rHQ4a1MSHKLEthdZ7lvMAn8wjpOc08G5UXCrsxPqp5t0kcJBq-rPxRVslXLxHR2DVCRyf9O7zDBYBWBiwVNouuf0o-6dwBhVx/w400-h300/20210624_165829.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1d_C11rvKsNSymPZJHSZTf0ccthzvQlX_7sCZozcoAqad2wdFmEBSuL_DV37CscGP00e91F_51I6fbkEFCf1DbtEmYkNUb9e_nQjicFO_Hu18A6xs91cs9qvikXOz141XtLeSBEnqvjV/s2599/20210624_170154-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1814" data-original-width="2599" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1d_C11rvKsNSymPZJHSZTf0ccthzvQlX_7sCZozcoAqad2wdFmEBSuL_DV37CscGP00e91F_51I6fbkEFCf1DbtEmYkNUb9e_nQjicFO_Hu18A6xs91cs9qvikXOz141XtLeSBEnqvjV/w400-h279/20210624_170154-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2z6hOrdfqWydcMTYRZIwz7UirOskTlvpf7RNHs7seUiVjYlwjr3kHYJxrNKDqRLBETF3NaW9OkZMOkBFmIOf-Yp1WpBV_w7v61n-B74Hf5zcH1PDCyCksi1iHCn98fzK-qFHrzDXA7wt/s3416/20210624_165849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3416" data-original-width="2029" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2z6hOrdfqWydcMTYRZIwz7UirOskTlvpf7RNHs7seUiVjYlwjr3kHYJxrNKDqRLBETF3NaW9OkZMOkBFmIOf-Yp1WpBV_w7v61n-B74Hf5zcH1PDCyCksi1iHCn98fzK-qFHrzDXA7wt/s320/20210624_165849.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7QjB89HufMQo600_rZ8MmZI24IZcoFsFWS3qzcMUm_zvp4O7p-wybMrxG49tsH0BnMzyDiWPgIseX7WtE-YANjZTwAQXN0sGRxn0-CbA1821VaQdub8Dg_IxTx0qXM4F00jVlXDcZVOO/s3213/20210624_165819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3213" data-original-width="2075" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7QjB89HufMQo600_rZ8MmZI24IZcoFsFWS3qzcMUm_zvp4O7p-wybMrxG49tsH0BnMzyDiWPgIseX7WtE-YANjZTwAQXN0sGRxn0-CbA1821VaQdub8Dg_IxTx0qXM4F00jVlXDcZVOO/s320/20210624_165819.jpg" /></a></div></div><p>This sweetest little swimmer always has a blast...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6gh4plnfKGRMC3hHV4luCIWRUfVgtzbxi_YMhN93PNdM3oMoOk0TsRST62dvyGW3_L5JOufGBvEC6oSuuaN1YB8gwAl1cNzWJa8M5-Hlm50gaizu7xVsj3-pzAzmWUA9iorJGFwTdFaS/s4032/20210608_152629.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6gh4plnfKGRMC3hHV4luCIWRUfVgtzbxi_YMhN93PNdM3oMoOk0TsRST62dvyGW3_L5JOufGBvEC6oSuuaN1YB8gwAl1cNzWJa8M5-Hlm50gaizu7xVsj3-pzAzmWUA9iorJGFwTdFaS/s320/20210608_152629.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU21DGK_nSIglysCsuOqSwISRofUWVXf5R3FLnnDUCF8g9UV8MI_-SM9mwuNtcGJL4CBVHGQLGHlDWLTJiFutWruxapzi4wqYeFB8i3G3LOafjTeRlrB04IvsQQVG8gmYG5ZawlqVZqVYR/s3832/20210608_152547.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3832" data-original-width="2786" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU21DGK_nSIglysCsuOqSwISRofUWVXf5R3FLnnDUCF8g9UV8MI_-SM9mwuNtcGJL4CBVHGQLGHlDWLTJiFutWruxapzi4wqYeFB8i3G3LOafjTeRlrB04IvsQQVG8gmYG5ZawlqVZqVYR/s320/20210608_152547.jpg" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Because I often get asked this: we always look for swimsuits that provide good coverage and are still comfortable for active play. I am very fair, and several of my kids have inherited my sunburn-prone skin. We also try to dress modestly as a family. Long-sleeved rash guards and swim shorts work well all around. (Gianna has <a href="https://amzn.to/3qucT7m">this top</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/3vUX3nv">these bottoms</a>, for example.) We also all wear sunhats when we will be out in the sun for a long stretch. We keep everyone's hats in one bag, swimsuits in another, and towels + sunscreen in a third, stowed in the hall closet. Floaties and toys stay in the trunk of our van. This makes getting out the door much easier for our big family!</div><p>Another fun part of our summer was my parents' visit! Grandma even taught my girls to make lasagna. My mom makes her own sauce and her own ricotta cheese, so I rarely bother cooking lasagna since hers is just. so. good. What a treat!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMJ1tsGAUfgjaRRKz3_Ze3IbfY_yrOwypXUOrxjYiFs0W9zMuYkLW5rP-i_XTMIUJeBw4U3BGItC2U5z00KPMPmLawm5LhsCUI7-9i3uZW2OUjeR54Uuj3fVt-IMQNqkXXCS4Zp7atXjL/s4032/20210609_140941.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMJ1tsGAUfgjaRRKz3_Ze3IbfY_yrOwypXUOrxjYiFs0W9zMuYkLW5rP-i_XTMIUJeBw4U3BGItC2U5z00KPMPmLawm5LhsCUI7-9i3uZW2OUjeR54Uuj3fVt-IMQNqkXXCS4Zp7atXjL/w400-h300/20210609_140941.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnE2JtE7_5D4S2m09BFXc7dePw0TmhxqKLjRfp0yJPX89eN81VxfpTo72zmxubCqNr_pL_NMsol770y61VhbRsiUlOm_76gg4Roqa0m6mYvxS4IO6gR6haNuaWbJWmq3SQkvCKGd0c3cY/s4032/20210611_123918.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnE2JtE7_5D4S2m09BFXc7dePw0TmhxqKLjRfp0yJPX89eN81VxfpTo72zmxubCqNr_pL_NMsol770y61VhbRsiUlOm_76gg4Roqa0m6mYvxS4IO6gR6haNuaWbJWmq3SQkvCKGd0c3cY/w400-h300/20210611_123918.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAUNjBKBIJMM8Su0dioT3ca8k6JLA6oerfc1WFggdnwP9NAyMrxz-PhVsJB3i4cb4aifjGFUtDP2cHpGOan-AhzWllidicOgW57T5PA3g1gPy99FMiSGJyFsAJii1QOmG1f_PGIHwiE47/s3182/20210609_105225.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2993" data-original-width="3182" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAUNjBKBIJMM8Su0dioT3ca8k6JLA6oerfc1WFggdnwP9NAyMrxz-PhVsJB3i4cb4aifjGFUtDP2cHpGOan-AhzWllidicOgW57T5PA3g1gPy99FMiSGJyFsAJii1QOmG1f_PGIHwiE47/w400-h376/20210609_105225.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The older six kids also went to their annual A's game with Daddy.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRX_XBogjLNJ_PGjn3HcR7angvm4-FQOOSO-NizDLdIee7yqhmubTvmnMlNwgFooyd8GCAzgty1Qyou_iTek7yA8KikANikpY7Kt_777gK__tbFQdChJfD3igvVDXZta6EJQkjDVxhDw1e/s4608/20210503_170831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRX_XBogjLNJ_PGjn3HcR7angvm4-FQOOSO-NizDLdIee7yqhmubTvmnMlNwgFooyd8GCAzgty1Qyou_iTek7yA8KikANikpY7Kt_777gK__tbFQdChJfD3igvVDXZta6EJQkjDVxhDw1e/w400-h300/20210503_170831.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvsy3Ihp2pxti3WmhHAhzMwTy1EG9oBVkGm3eSuhEi47njbmSQ0fO4_I9mH7J9RtHujWWu5HWQcX7G-4Hnrcx-Xvl0paKirZupzn4sRT9D1-cE4IMMM5ijCfu8-1jB3aNnxd1MsZW48yZ/s4608/20210503_213440.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvsy3Ihp2pxti3WmhHAhzMwTy1EG9oBVkGm3eSuhEi47njbmSQ0fO4_I9mH7J9RtHujWWu5HWQcX7G-4Hnrcx-Xvl0paKirZupzn4sRT9D1-cE4IMMM5ijCfu8-1jB3aNnxd1MsZW48yZ/w400-h300/20210503_213440.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrnEzpb9az1TiRbjZnqxStBR-t27wa9KpFvo2gjPCGNgKmkQoYsDJ-ERUAKaVjH6he-KXIvmioFmW8uTVbtM3oD1oDpg5yq5XZeynm4IDaQNrjjC0oXtdlpLpBJEjgHOx6sbGdHEwHsMz/s4608/20210610_212742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrnEzpb9az1TiRbjZnqxStBR-t27wa9KpFvo2gjPCGNgKmkQoYsDJ-ERUAKaVjH6he-KXIvmioFmW8uTVbtM3oD1oDpg5yq5XZeynm4IDaQNrjjC0oXtdlpLpBJEjgHOx6sbGdHEwHsMz/w400-h300/20210610_212742.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>~~~<div><br /></div><div>I have spent lots of time pre-reading and planning for our next school year. Last summer I did so much of my prep up front and I loved how prepared I felt all year! I have been slowly working through books and subjects and am hoping to have lots of time in July to finish it off.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVNwcGBVjA1NlmRWE2VZuHSxznOywqYouXYGErbeEf4PgThqkKvMXmXO6JPV8VGxmFwSgQ4o9BLE4yyPD3XjJrnE4qIehImkMWE4efDg5et9KDlm0c4xOfw4A-XyTiO_u2-_GgoH-Iss3/s4032/20210614_160152.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVNwcGBVjA1NlmRWE2VZuHSxznOywqYouXYGErbeEf4PgThqkKvMXmXO6JPV8VGxmFwSgQ4o9BLE4yyPD3XjJrnE4qIehImkMWE4efDg5et9KDlm0c4xOfw4A-XyTiO_u2-_GgoH-Iss3/w400-h300/20210614_160152.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Right now I'm just finishing the American history spine for high school and it's so, so good. I have to keep stopping to commonplace favorite bits, like this one:<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgUCl21X_eCN9acgBvRb60Zn28Incgl-NKOokxWtYWGg5ndXzibl9jOoWBdFp6qCPXGYiL-9gvpHOEvVDwh_ILNAey5Jscf3q96krIxPggX_5adYiKQc37uCVXHHv8veBSBe-rEX3xx0Z/s4016/20210622_203140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3012" data-original-width="4016" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgUCl21X_eCN9acgBvRb60Zn28Incgl-NKOokxWtYWGg5ndXzibl9jOoWBdFp6qCPXGYiL-9gvpHOEvVDwh_ILNAey5Jscf3q96krIxPggX_5adYiKQc37uCVXHHv8veBSBe-rEX3xx0Z/w400-h301/20210622_203140.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm using <a href="https://amzn.to/3wZyxTm">the same notebook as last year</a> for my pre-reading notebook and logbook. They are the perfect size and very durable -- and they get a TON of use, so that's important to me! (I like the lined for my pre-reading notes and the dot grid for my logbook.)</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfq84F992pOAFCBCxsVCFsek9YXPfy9a6cPmSLOwTOgyYk8TFHnYA2BS7ku61gvlhtQ_H3bl1D_qSTxmn-JN_0fnXJ1ikmvcHjEqVgLtieM02sIvXtbSKekhB6uJFg5q7vJJYjvzBqTHeR/s4032/20210601_110156.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfq84F992pOAFCBCxsVCFsek9YXPfy9a6cPmSLOwTOgyYk8TFHnYA2BS7ku61gvlhtQ_H3bl1D_qSTxmn-JN_0fnXJ1ikmvcHjEqVgLtieM02sIvXtbSKekhB6uJFg5q7vJJYjvzBqTHeR/w400-h300/20210601_110156.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A little Emilia update: 17 months old and such a firecracker!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqo92H9NxeE9Rx9OKkuF983pV9b-L-kmSXhPkZQ8_jZy8rx80Zjh9E-1AFXsowSHmBHFu7lVT75Dq6gT0zC5deVKkhPeI-F9cX1fON9UPI3bErMURKOH3xp_4pyPsdBnDkYRBFgYKs3_e/s3650/20210430_100058.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3650" data-original-width="2993" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqo92H9NxeE9Rx9OKkuF983pV9b-L-kmSXhPkZQ8_jZy8rx80Zjh9E-1AFXsowSHmBHFu7lVT75Dq6gT0zC5deVKkhPeI-F9cX1fON9UPI3bErMURKOH3xp_4pyPsdBnDkYRBFgYKs3_e/w262-h320/20210430_100058.jpg" width="262" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCx1orU_OMaN3q4LD2yzCVFm7X-JsX_dx0iYrqromzWi7aV_uLKj2-SJLY2x9P6BiobLeYOqKkVNKlbAOifZOSJvZdLOUNB-Yt-KjAlxKhyadiZsBkUdojufSTnDhcO8pwE7YkbayIWPoA/s4032/20210627_100851.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCx1orU_OMaN3q4LD2yzCVFm7X-JsX_dx0iYrqromzWi7aV_uLKj2-SJLY2x9P6BiobLeYOqKkVNKlbAOifZOSJvZdLOUNB-Yt-KjAlxKhyadiZsBkUdojufSTnDhcO8pwE7YkbayIWPoA/s320/20210627_100851.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiX_l8qOS-Vty_26_6e_j-r7TV73ubLdkJ6pHocnlLTYkmWlTcRFLoXbf8rHqndcOWf_R_QXH2WIauvmmslD-igSEg596LxQ7-89mi3ACBDk5Nh-L0WsvyIvIJKujfncLR_rgmAWf_oE_f/s3375/20210614_101018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3375" data-original-width="2554" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiX_l8qOS-Vty_26_6e_j-r7TV73ubLdkJ6pHocnlLTYkmWlTcRFLoXbf8rHqndcOWf_R_QXH2WIauvmmslD-igSEg596LxQ7-89mi3ACBDk5Nh-L0WsvyIvIJKujfncLR_rgmAWf_oE_f/s320/20210614_101018.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuxUL-kAxBHqmO6n3oGUKrWrs0WofseC0aRUWKtZie_sZSBT6xsDLaOFLQZNPIqhV65rUGtn67IhjS1jIltHW63PW6rwQuQuzHNOVCWRlAaYYMvBZGVUmt9i-JLugqaEWtI3q8cMCFMWD/s4032/20210624_165931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuxUL-kAxBHqmO6n3oGUKrWrs0WofseC0aRUWKtZie_sZSBT6xsDLaOFLQZNPIqhV65rUGtn67IhjS1jIltHW63PW6rwQuQuzHNOVCWRlAaYYMvBZGVUmt9i-JLugqaEWtI3q8cMCFMWD/s320/20210624_165931.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Precocious, determined, observant, playful, and LOUD! We just love her.</div><p></p><p>~~~</p><p>Some special occasions have passed over the last few months too...</p><p>Drew turned seven, Xavier turned eleven, and Vincent turned FIFTEEN!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JOa6euaMNq05g2i28nRFNkdM0OnTXLseuSgWAUVcbZQnZ5R1cHKCK6OoaAGWJFSpLkuHzWAZX2CDIkx3hdTHPEdbz8qFs3eDs88MihwkMCY0S3-DkK6cuhmiay1U396QL3wjP3xlBR64/s3636/20210517_115902.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3636" data-original-width="2523" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JOa6euaMNq05g2i28nRFNkdM0OnTXLseuSgWAUVcbZQnZ5R1cHKCK6OoaAGWJFSpLkuHzWAZX2CDIkx3hdTHPEdbz8qFs3eDs88MihwkMCY0S3-DkK6cuhmiay1U396QL3wjP3xlBR64/s320/20210517_115902.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zuK9hXGa90kQr081Q96aIKKCEGMGLtTuJ2k6J9RvRSRYVuRKdE7xPOry4Y8F2uPSV-aYkn6b3-bSw3GyRJRmUS1p2SRwDjfKwqJAAGdr6Q1HDFJptWM2CTLMJlneO-rI8SdTonKbddDo/s4032/20210519_120622.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zuK9hXGa90kQr081Q96aIKKCEGMGLtTuJ2k6J9RvRSRYVuRKdE7xPOry4Y8F2uPSV-aYkn6b3-bSw3GyRJRmUS1p2SRwDjfKwqJAAGdr6Q1HDFJptWM2CTLMJlneO-rI8SdTonKbddDo/s320/20210519_120622.jpg" /></a></div></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0M0mh7bXMFFqri2TK4yBgOggFLersmfGCKN0-tCi8ykpjAmc7dyiGOVErpcrjjqXqEL4AAUBqkzBTPGBgShvsWKHLVrWk0AJUgmZ0m_D2fKe1taCs3oSog8ZCY2Va3y-NpggobIqsNUvb/s2875/20210620_120158.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2175" data-original-width="2875" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0M0mh7bXMFFqri2TK4yBgOggFLersmfGCKN0-tCi8ykpjAmc7dyiGOVErpcrjjqXqEL4AAUBqkzBTPGBgShvsWKHLVrWk0AJUgmZ0m_D2fKe1taCs3oSog8ZCY2Va3y-NpggobIqsNUvb/w400-h303/20210620_120158.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The girls helped me make Vincent a coconut cream pie, his dessert of choice. It was their first time whipping cream and making a custard, so it provided a great baking lesson too!</div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedB-VRVQX2lgWPYm10r61YdmOb3-c9MU_R2DUOdmRNUoZmMEZ26iOtI2X_VA83g-6wZDXUGhW5HBAjqq8CCpXKdRZUciTU1SOxLbKxvkXe7Jjc1wU7WubUwigC4nnzVt7U4zQ3zf_qv1x/s4032/20210620_112701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedB-VRVQX2lgWPYm10r61YdmOb3-c9MU_R2DUOdmRNUoZmMEZ26iOtI2X_VA83g-6wZDXUGhW5HBAjqq8CCpXKdRZUciTU1SOxLbKxvkXe7Jjc1wU7WubUwigC4nnzVt7U4zQ3zf_qv1x/w400-h300/20210620_112701.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Last but certainly not least: Clara received her First Holy Communion this morning! It was the feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, whose icon hangs above the chapel altar, so that was special. And my two oldest sons were able to serve Mass.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPj0UazKQtobu6qM0bkHasdMdvw7Zw8hxak0j7cvbbBIXfEslWAWr-tYyFq1arZlOnUXn-3r69BE-tDa63SX3H3e-2COb_Hu1bUF106oTFQ2q9LSCtR7bwFUQGLsa1wVXOtO7aPigCRKhc/s1334/IMG_20210627_094849_579.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPj0UazKQtobu6qM0bkHasdMdvw7Zw8hxak0j7cvbbBIXfEslWAWr-tYyFq1arZlOnUXn-3r69BE-tDa63SX3H3e-2COb_Hu1bUF106oTFQ2q9LSCtR7bwFUQGLsa1wVXOtO7aPigCRKhc/w324-h400/IMG_20210627_094849_579.jpg" width="324" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7GB944QSdHextRgegCqoJuy4E-hgfTP1ropjchMgTrX7vI84RAbuv2nHylQBugNCM7XksbPWMy-BOh3uuDmucxgQdLUdIKI7uR8Lm_7B5AixPwqArEg3XU0shx5e-OhhN7Opwz6RdgfG/s3232/20210627_082032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3232" data-original-width="2605" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7GB944QSdHextRgegCqoJuy4E-hgfTP1ropjchMgTrX7vI84RAbuv2nHylQBugNCM7XksbPWMy-BOh3uuDmucxgQdLUdIKI7uR8Lm_7B5AixPwqArEg3XU0shx5e-OhhN7Opwz6RdgfG/w323-h400/20210627_082032.jpg" width="323" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We gift each child a holy water font for their First Communion, so Clara will receive <a href="https://amzn.to/2UbiljC">this one</a>. And the older girls are making blondies to celebrate! I am grateful for days like these.</div><p>How is your summer shaping up?</p></div></div>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-71240094186471100182021-02-07T19:10:00.002-08:002021-02-07T19:10:52.703-08:00{This and That} :: On to Term 3!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40RGCvOTPLhfjelgNIZSIgLWIq3GHmpzaIpnDQgXl0h40I4ixXoMzIImVc5da3fgSeXKwrzo6fxCK0QJNrsSNuPc-F5XcF2uSUicRTQwzGgRQH3k5QbOdTvsRS8ypHFQujLoCM211lIc5/s4032/20210129_110018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40RGCvOTPLhfjelgNIZSIgLWIq3GHmpzaIpnDQgXl0h40I4ixXoMzIImVc5da3fgSeXKwrzo6fxCK0QJNrsSNuPc-F5XcF2uSUicRTQwzGgRQH3k5QbOdTvsRS8ypHFQujLoCM211lIc5/w640-h480/20210129_110018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Hooray for some much-needed rain followed by a week of sunshine!</p><p>And better yet: our first week of Term 3 is complete! We went straight into the new term without a break after exams, which I know was the best choice for my kids but maybe not the best choice for me. ;) They got a "long weekend" after exam week, but I did not -- I was finishing up some planning for Term 3, reading through exams and updating records, and getting lots of work done for other projects. But the week went fine and I feel like I'm back in the groove of things after several days of sunshine here. </p><div>A few peeks at Form 1 work last week:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaChQta0Bn7wFDEWGn3S7mu7B2av-qxWGWzx9ZPFhePD338nJwJI1dqij0GI5JIV9stLOCFXURpzyCBuHrmY1HoXJCX2nRi9d1eXvfoK3KLHNUJLGBh6VSAZTXBULM9XZFIAfL9Ha3olgh/s4032/20210202_134434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaChQta0Bn7wFDEWGn3S7mu7B2av-qxWGWzx9ZPFhePD338nJwJI1dqij0GI5JIV9stLOCFXURpzyCBuHrmY1HoXJCX2nRi9d1eXvfoK3KLHNUJLGBh6VSAZTXBULM9XZFIAfL9Ha3olgh/w400-h300/20210202_134434.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJxcB-t6SgUQopeteBF6y5qAUVM-tvcXpYXmARPbGRMCug3Wy0lyFhpriJI5-D0TP04MRvsUNpVB731W4QKs1qdwBjf9baX42pwT2S585qQebEtBkpRS6IZNBLd0AyPDEzYYXEgusUxCv/s4008/20210119_132810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2534" data-original-width="4008" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJxcB-t6SgUQopeteBF6y5qAUVM-tvcXpYXmARPbGRMCug3Wy0lyFhpriJI5-D0TP04MRvsUNpVB731W4QKs1qdwBjf9baX42pwT2S585qQebEtBkpRS6IZNBLd0AyPDEzYYXEgusUxCv/w400-h253/20210119_132810.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbADtxQq9Gp-RMd958fTx4sbjcbNDkL4esuAQC7ts8EZwnC2CSGyJsXaf1QHz9rnAUrh9WNkZDMVpL9G0LrEafJItkqavysRpwSFlX0p95Byd8BQvCX1Dn_YuQAs-fRPaMoNjbsRHiLOP/s4032/20210119_132825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbADtxQq9Gp-RMd958fTx4sbjcbNDkL4esuAQC7ts8EZwnC2CSGyJsXaf1QHz9rnAUrh9WNkZDMVpL9G0LrEafJItkqavysRpwSFlX0p95Byd8BQvCX1Dn_YuQAs-fRPaMoNjbsRHiLOP/w400-h300/20210119_132825.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dpCpvnjC4pH04g_Xs6F5oVxTO_Sy4oFKJkQWScvIJuniDQCDN4LKzOTq92p9y1EVpv27Bvchu-g-ik-aWlkH7HNKweK9YN9Y6WDG2BnMfqO5DefiETzBkJeFZPvmOpTfXpKMTeRZnx2S/s4032/20210201_140303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dpCpvnjC4pH04g_Xs6F5oVxTO_Sy4oFKJkQWScvIJuniDQCDN4LKzOTq92p9y1EVpv27Bvchu-g-ik-aWlkH7HNKweK9YN9Y6WDG2BnMfqO5DefiETzBkJeFZPvmOpTfXpKMTeRZnx2S/w400-h300/20210201_140303.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzD72LifgN9byxGo48H57xty12n_VYAbLzHWayM7z7tK1ZKKZX1QaTfOviVbs8B6MPM9mp2Jn7bp5_KBdafjWwQdx1dFiaNorIeUB0g3dBrvstT5UWGZc90HJvS1fW35yHY09C4JPPcNj_/s4032/20210201_085821%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzD72LifgN9byxGo48H57xty12n_VYAbLzHWayM7z7tK1ZKKZX1QaTfOviVbs8B6MPM9mp2Jn7bp5_KBdafjWwQdx1dFiaNorIeUB0g3dBrvstT5UWGZc90HJvS1fW35yHY09C4JPPcNj_/w400-h300/20210201_085821%25280%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWXq1UmGnVEXNG1E2agJTbE_lrfTE8hVJQEc_CdQMpg0igtIVOC7tuRe2AoTIDNNhPvVux1bhHTyH7uvF0we1BxpV_3LR2QBVZfHqwhVyVz_8pwbqeKMc14xt18VkphKM48YgQiLUp2MP/s4032/20210201_142709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWXq1UmGnVEXNG1E2agJTbE_lrfTE8hVJQEc_CdQMpg0igtIVOC7tuRe2AoTIDNNhPvVux1bhHTyH7uvF0we1BxpV_3LR2QBVZfHqwhVyVz_8pwbqeKMc14xt18VkphKM48YgQiLUp2MP/w400-h300/20210201_142709.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwAExVz8XBmk1jzF97ShxCoMD9BdN1J6ZClsrv4WJLTEfZ_mQmDRNHXlwi36dh1VOBiBqvI6iY4vbhyphenhyphenW9FnSjIPUlgtDCKbNoj66eY2XcUWDsm-Crjwm1__1vlwnHPvShLRd2GC23O32D/s4032/20210204_125414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwAExVz8XBmk1jzF97ShxCoMD9BdN1J6ZClsrv4WJLTEfZ_mQmDRNHXlwi36dh1VOBiBqvI6iY4vbhyphenhyphenW9FnSjIPUlgtDCKbNoj66eY2XcUWDsm-Crjwm1__1vlwnHPvShLRd2GC23O32D/w300-h400/20210204_125414.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The book in the photo above is <a href="https://amzn.to/3juiE1y" target="_blank"><i>Maps </i>by Mizielinki</a>. My Form 1A students have been using it a lot this year as they do their "world tour" using our geographical reader.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And I just love these little reciters! Clara always shows up for lessons in style.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcl2PODwHG0AXsGqYxi0_TwAAnC8QsXf7sgwZ_n1tyBzHYQLGbqt3BXiHySv2UmMsdOMghLV4ib9PkCgFkNvdRGBJkyKIgBUo74z5-Cm9T7RCSoLdJo681Llq5mKYobZglncZLyTLT1t_/s3237/20210127_094839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3237" data-original-width="2304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcl2PODwHG0AXsGqYxi0_TwAAnC8QsXf7sgwZ_n1tyBzHYQLGbqt3BXiHySv2UmMsdOMghLV4ib9PkCgFkNvdRGBJkyKIgBUo74z5-Cm9T7RCSoLdJo681Llq5mKYobZglncZLyTLT1t_/s320/20210127_094839.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFzTvL2CY0W_pnij9ZrZayjptUdS5J9mIrOijco_K6YueEatnUKQIa4FjVywLkuSKcYOt5ah9B5poaS2-YT7yTX0LD79mPBeYukCL56rj1zhosXL_bfFmpnwrzoIqmGSb7AzVnMU_bkMh/s3041/20210127_094809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3041" data-original-width="2548" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFzTvL2CY0W_pnij9ZrZayjptUdS5J9mIrOijco_K6YueEatnUKQIa4FjVywLkuSKcYOt5ah9B5poaS2-YT7yTX0LD79mPBeYukCL56rj1zhosXL_bfFmpnwrzoIqmGSb7AzVnMU_bkMh/s320/20210127_094809.jpg" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div>(We finally took down our Christmas decorations on Monday in anticipation of Candlemas! It feels nice to have the open space again.)</div><div><br /></div>And my preschooler has been busy too! He was so focused on drawing a collection of foods from <a href="https://amzn.to/3jqGivA" target="_blank"><i>Food of the World</i></a>. (He really likes this whole series, which is on the CMEC list for Kinderleben.)<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBoFRXMEXnZqlIdfnSBlvOWZFZy56TexIXuPlwpNscHbtZ5WIN3soKu30i6XUjTeHlIcfQXJ_nnm4KCvL52Jvvnqb0OCAWNTG-Av9mW-DGMpsFuJ08Tl1NLHKiC1aDIu0yO8NN8Qapx2K/s4032/20210122_111130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBoFRXMEXnZqlIdfnSBlvOWZFZy56TexIXuPlwpNscHbtZ5WIN3soKu30i6XUjTeHlIcfQXJ_nnm4KCvL52Jvvnqb0OCAWNTG-Av9mW-DGMpsFuJ08Tl1NLHKiC1aDIu0yO8NN8Qapx2K/w400-h300/20210122_111130.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclz7gLNbdqpW7pc3fF0hyphenhyphensd5HUM8BpXFbHC8qnhOg8JmCSn2vh-Guy-IIaJquPxO00Ndzx-3UTvCzjjnMZ5bnqvG06sMTFY4BT_UU9bzWf3M2Hd0l4Gst3mez0pJ7xgo4pYwfMui09oxw/s4032/20210128_121511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclz7gLNbdqpW7pc3fF0hyphenhyphensd5HUM8BpXFbHC8qnhOg8JmCSn2vh-Guy-IIaJquPxO00Ndzx-3UTvCzjjnMZ5bnqvG06sMTFY4BT_UU9bzWf3M2Hd0l4Gst3mez0pJ7xgo4pYwfMui09oxw/w400-h300/20210128_121511.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And we love our <a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-artist-prints/kinderleben-artist-print-set">Kinderleben Collection set of artist prints</a> from Riverbend Press!</div><div><br /></div><div>~~~</div><div><br /></div><div>Our exam week went great! One favorite task we have at the end of term is to collect each child's Weekly Paintings into our family binder. It is so neat to see all those little cards side by side! (If you want a quick explanation of what our Weekly Paintings are, <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2019/10/our-weekly-paintings.html" target="_blank">click here</a>. I also have more examples collected at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/ourweeklypaintings/?hl=en" target="_blank">#ourweeklypaintings</a>.)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByECjVyVQas5B2mcDL2xmcSSxJAGefWT9OyvvIxpK0IJf_Tk8-myjSEd81DxtU887dbgPxEsDxPILeD86Lp5JkUtVFFdkTiZNIBhSkfdQoyU-MbbFpgC8DnffXtVJEAyttmE4YNrqirBZ/s4032/20210128_115802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByECjVyVQas5B2mcDL2xmcSSxJAGefWT9OyvvIxpK0IJf_Tk8-myjSEd81DxtU887dbgPxEsDxPILeD86Lp5JkUtVFFdkTiZNIBhSkfdQoyU-MbbFpgC8DnffXtVJEAyttmE4YNrqirBZ/w400-h300/20210128_115802.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlo_vFM9uR69U4TA2vmupP4_6sAsXvZqmY_7LLG7t2B0oIY0gutRNGYzDZGhCm8BuAUgVfXZa4uSjozEcX2dDozA6K1LWNk52NA-LTm5paVIqOS89BSbzGxVswmZRj9IPw494QJvORDxA/s4032/20210128_115756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlo_vFM9uR69U4TA2vmupP4_6sAsXvZqmY_7LLG7t2B0oIY0gutRNGYzDZGhCm8BuAUgVfXZa4uSjozEcX2dDozA6K1LWNk52NA-LTm5paVIqOS89BSbzGxVswmZRj9IPw494QJvORDxA/w400-h300/20210128_115756.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqpS6O7DZb9K2orLZhwHhEWeIkofobuRkraZE_3NKiQYEWiVWKFOnHgQFis_Pvp3KxZ8zQ01QOWBg6lJ_SabW7nxLbTraXOkTWUGP1PYpsTvdT6zxPky6fG4EUpPafqCQr8hXqLAcK5Ct/s4032/20210128_115750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqpS6O7DZb9K2orLZhwHhEWeIkofobuRkraZE_3NKiQYEWiVWKFOnHgQFis_Pvp3KxZ8zQ01QOWBg6lJ_SabW7nxLbTraXOkTWUGP1PYpsTvdT6zxPky6fG4EUpPafqCQr8hXqLAcK5Ct/w400-h300/20210128_115750.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QvqzfZbT-ejhqj89NKqA9kmZSHKgCljvoHYfbWe9oJtA_CS1_fxW7-0LyDtsPyaLVKAT55xkQjnoyKUku6RpRYVGEjifggBSWxwUIJMIV83HVbQMEF7Y166JzOhT0T5eAFyFMu0K_YAh/s4032/20210128_115746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QvqzfZbT-ejhqj89NKqA9kmZSHKgCljvoHYfbWe9oJtA_CS1_fxW7-0LyDtsPyaLVKAT55xkQjnoyKUku6RpRYVGEjifggBSWxwUIJMIV83HVbQMEF7Y166JzOhT0T5eAFyFMu0K_YAh/w400-h300/20210128_115746.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2ExEcAtZvlbuM_JwGivVUAGsff2V9w7FUAznXtiix-7U-DQT3Fz5OTAAHu8WjpFKWksJiSQgEHqpxplIDiF8W9jNStYFRzLO_vhPetTI6V7u2qyAjQOFZ30oXRPLJNolM6iUAvmCSiHx/s4032/20210128_115739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2ExEcAtZvlbuM_JwGivVUAGsff2V9w7FUAznXtiix-7U-DQT3Fz5OTAAHu8WjpFKWksJiSQgEHqpxplIDiF8W9jNStYFRzLO_vhPetTI6V7u2qyAjQOFZ30oXRPLJNolM6iUAvmCSiHx/w400-h300/20210128_115739.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrsPZZAaDpMuTt4F3N9ZHo-XL_T5hkmY_H2LM33Gy4l5i7gGqTuHlrnIR1pWd8WnqDstBVXx-HT2_GYXBf4i6L4RcmOHndLjKZKdC9bhe7-ZlHnTJDGdpLU7JBd0jyxLFV_5fCHnbGtKN/s4032/20210128_115732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrsPZZAaDpMuTt4F3N9ZHo-XL_T5hkmY_H2LM33Gy4l5i7gGqTuHlrnIR1pWd8WnqDstBVXx-HT2_GYXBf4i6L4RcmOHndLjKZKdC9bhe7-ZlHnTJDGdpLU7JBd0jyxLFV_5fCHnbGtKN/w400-h300/20210128_115732.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrQQb7EhZvHYMkhH62HcCsUZeY9TQcbwNUugom9yBFRWKYFXKGE88ejiebu9lK4WRmFhJQLJ6P5q-eHuPE7mKn2gHD0p-c24JXDRzF-sPCOc7JA4UwzUad4KbIcCf9S6hRavcoSNVhp1W/s4032/20210128_115726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrQQb7EhZvHYMkhH62HcCsUZeY9TQcbwNUugom9yBFRWKYFXKGE88ejiebu9lK4WRmFhJQLJ6P5q-eHuPE7mKn2gHD0p-c24JXDRzF-sPCOc7JA4UwzUad4KbIcCf9S6hRavcoSNVhp1W/w400-h300/20210128_115726.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcbbI8U19tJuWwmGtvYgXzWPegxMHEfCV0J5WYRy9Yyf5cLNHmN4XmeUdmweS_u9CeMfB2_ekiUIKDcEPQBejiwrhlSAIS1BwIZXylpD4fD9TMKFIROhxmNVgPSZiDRcuezqIutDclXhc/s4032/20210128_115722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcbbI8U19tJuWwmGtvYgXzWPegxMHEfCV0J5WYRy9Yyf5cLNHmN4XmeUdmweS_u9CeMfB2_ekiUIKDcEPQBejiwrhlSAIS1BwIZXylpD4fD9TMKFIROhxmNVgPSZiDRcuezqIutDclXhc/w400-h300/20210128_115722.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Friday night after exam week, I sat and read through their answers and added to my Mother's Journal for each student. This is one of the essential elements of my reflection routine and I feel like I just can't end a term without it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbc_e8IVvN2rK9erkE0KV3713sojhZ7xVozC7h_mQxPod6XoTVvEoheYVIXFdlfapdd5JPfU3j4Nf1Sv854g0GPiYJHljUchpC5nP_iM1YYHmw91kc6J2bcRsKCmn4-0qu6F7D8igqOWc/s4032/20210128_184817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbc_e8IVvN2rK9erkE0KV3713sojhZ7xVozC7h_mQxPod6XoTVvEoheYVIXFdlfapdd5JPfU3j4Nf1Sv854g0GPiYJHljUchpC5nP_iM1YYHmw91kc6J2bcRsKCmn4-0qu6F7D8igqOWc/w400-h300/20210128_184817.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>~~~</div><div><br /></div><div>We got the two oldest girls a cookbook for Christmas, and they have had so much fun with it! They have always done a fair bit of cooking, and Gianna is quite compentent in the kitchen, but the cookbook has been nice for them to explore new recipes.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5MmdEAei3ZVZrdvfLSkVS53HalJEEHou6Mjd3pb-wM06u8N3HgsaqJStyju8deE3I3q4H5iEIbT8c1zsEtY4t2J0xY9aLKK8VlZqwU1FBGqZYngDYDN9tjNHlCDdG64SDg9BQ_hR0sVd/s4032/20210113_194858+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5MmdEAei3ZVZrdvfLSkVS53HalJEEHou6Mjd3pb-wM06u8N3HgsaqJStyju8deE3I3q4H5iEIbT8c1zsEtY4t2J0xY9aLKK8VlZqwU1FBGqZYngDYDN9tjNHlCDdG64SDg9BQ_hR0sVd/s320/20210113_194858+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXO73Mq8sRIwx02csjgnzd3cFJZfsKUkHB4D7tfzL4jRsl5P2vpsRTiJnyYD2T5A9ZQu3pral1UtZwTTpYfUaP1hePhAghnFK0Ux0Ac7JvegqcZoSJjOroH1zOJ2CiqCCy5xo_AuOIv3jB/s4032/20210106_160223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXO73Mq8sRIwx02csjgnzd3cFJZfsKUkHB4D7tfzL4jRsl5P2vpsRTiJnyYD2T5A9ZQu3pral1UtZwTTpYfUaP1hePhAghnFK0Ux0Ac7JvegqcZoSJjOroH1zOJ2CiqCCy5xo_AuOIv3jB/s320/20210106_160223.jpg" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>So far they have made salmon and risotto, roast chicken and braised green beans, polish sausage with lentils, and many (probably too many!) desserts. My husband even requested the cinnamon rolls they made on Epiphany for his birthday dessert last weekend.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9ZRQfAyuBHkw-7u3s50r7hoFcV8AKzHvWDUn03Npwnshkrc0QHxqKo3evvzrCJTvzU49QDi0MHhA33Sj_86YDdSbUGbjLTjkCs0as1oGP0r8pKc45J5HH-ztE9iH9ug6ABeEkWLVvSa5/s3953/20210206_123729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2587" data-original-width="3953" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9ZRQfAyuBHkw-7u3s50r7hoFcV8AKzHvWDUn03Npwnshkrc0QHxqKo3evvzrCJTvzU49QDi0MHhA33Sj_86YDdSbUGbjLTjkCs0as1oGP0r8pKc45J5HH-ztE9iH9ug6ABeEkWLVvSa5/w400-h261/20210206_123729.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>~~~</div><div><br /></div><div>We are still very much enjoying our clay work -- it is a highlight of our week. Perfect for all ages! We sometimes work from plates, sometimes from models, sometimes with design. This week we took carrots as our subject (I put a Form 1 sample above, and below is my high schooler's), and a couple weeks ago, we did birds.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWMJDVcu5WL9nCe1nfLqFxEfdmDHyfG8ycw49l3GvOaIi71CT3XeQwo4NnPqkH4627wxieo0F5b5kJHVHiUWaNE50uOc2CJ_2KDY7QL8RTZ_nlE8EX812i2aq57s0NCwyyLX0EFY1TVsz/s4032/20210201_141416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWMJDVcu5WL9nCe1nfLqFxEfdmDHyfG8ycw49l3GvOaIi71CT3XeQwo4NnPqkH4627wxieo0F5b5kJHVHiUWaNE50uOc2CJ_2KDY7QL8RTZ_nlE8EX812i2aq57s0NCwyyLX0EFY1TVsz/s320/20210201_141416.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYOliaIw19QFqulnBy4dxNk9OYRug7ZZ-j2RChud1pZyCafomkdg2o3Fq7TkjS-q0KvA9V-YpHp4S62iNE9IECo_3cJNt318J1Ll0fwApCzjt6eXKGCREss2XfDLaoVAjqayWx9-8S_-f/s4032/20210111_141616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYOliaIw19QFqulnBy4dxNk9OYRug7ZZ-j2RChud1pZyCafomkdg2o3Fq7TkjS-q0KvA9V-YpHp4S62iNE9IECo_3cJNt318J1Ll0fwApCzjt6eXKGCREss2XfDLaoVAjqayWx9-8S_-f/s320/20210111_141616.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ye0A9FqXV0lgVRd3WIQAW3MncAmZ6NkufBQohDEnkz3CeiDrlc0vFkgwUiTUY2RmH6o0cePNOwMCrlg8bA9ZPJ11UyoeSCVI-WgVDnkaz-pWxf692XMjezOnBC6dW9w668eVrpFkdms0/s4032/20210111_141748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ye0A9FqXV0lgVRd3WIQAW3MncAmZ6NkufBQohDEnkz3CeiDrlc0vFkgwUiTUY2RmH6o0cePNOwMCrlg8bA9ZPJ11UyoeSCVI-WgVDnkaz-pWxf692XMjezOnBC6dW9w668eVrpFkdms0/s320/20210111_141748.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFs6ifO9U1qntwIJ6ItZS3ccyKgehL_06ZCjnn6Jg9Y21NMV2oB-X0lPmpdgEBKnqICG7ax0eOKgEu0KUenmFDsaPO-ur1RlFagfWKPt15IEyGNnF2XD2Ugpvkt7DpA_821niN39JfSrKI/s4032/20210111_141545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFs6ifO9U1qntwIJ6ItZS3ccyKgehL_06ZCjnn6Jg9Y21NMV2oB-X0lPmpdgEBKnqICG7ax0eOKgEu0KUenmFDsaPO-ur1RlFagfWKPt15IEyGNnF2XD2Ugpvkt7DpA_821niN39JfSrKI/s320/20210111_141545.jpg" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8XzLqLm3x_yjjn2_OCsoItTUt7g4PJY2vA1xfoODthyzwGm0BB9lADCCKslMu9aGIeMI5DSEWgOJOOSqkpsllAYTqhP71hwpUpxLhI-_zsynxBcbmdnjzBH27vQ1Pes2M9e1k8_Tyk1Q/s3259/20210111_141759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3259" data-original-width="2458" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8XzLqLm3x_yjjn2_OCsoItTUt7g4PJY2vA1xfoODthyzwGm0BB9lADCCKslMu9aGIeMI5DSEWgOJOOSqkpsllAYTqhP71hwpUpxLhI-_zsynxBcbmdnjzBH27vQ1Pes2M9e1k8_Tyk1Q/s320/20210111_141759.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5hbqyLvYUw4PKOGmZkvlXnm6C11bgoE3x0GgWC3efPyqSKvlMKHAWMl8rrOQtcMA8BLVOBc2LtWdytlfr8ljV-CbRmztWxqO5AYsdXfrEUFe2UYblb93B2tQbhcR50rCO3ilr7cQK4eV/s4032/20210111_141914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5hbqyLvYUw4PKOGmZkvlXnm6C11bgoE3x0GgWC3efPyqSKvlMKHAWMl8rrOQtcMA8BLVOBc2LtWdytlfr8ljV-CbRmztWxqO5AYsdXfrEUFe2UYblb93B2tQbhcR50rCO3ilr7cQK4eV/s320/20210111_141914.jpg" /></a></div></div><br /><div>My preschooler often joins us and works in playdoh alongside. Below: his carrot and bird! He is allowed to use the clay but is into the playdoh colors right now.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevmQKz3Z4JAOkOF-irdlaH2Whnvu24GGOOgM4GcNMNiD-SI1pxS7aZ5gPA_oFFf1hsEnHmPJv2mH3YBi_kY1_I0-LZRTItWY2_5ue5FAk-8qw-0p2OM0IQSyF9bm_1cww7FENIoJyNlfo/s4032/20210201_141308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevmQKz3Z4JAOkOF-irdlaH2Whnvu24GGOOgM4GcNMNiD-SI1pxS7aZ5gPA_oFFf1hsEnHmPJv2mH3YBi_kY1_I0-LZRTItWY2_5ue5FAk-8qw-0p2OM0IQSyF9bm_1cww7FENIoJyNlfo/s320/20210201_141308.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2C6R2hyyQM2r_Y42ocfhZdjqCq8tcYTWzjiNZ3kF5TWk-6eY_yMbMAAj0TIbJnQfXhimP2ebN4ekvcuw2OmwmVKh8cd3RN4tmIfqTaWfvHt5W91vyoWmXQ5wTc-wpT66HkXQapWLkIIMw/s4032/20210111_141526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2C6R2hyyQM2r_Y42ocfhZdjqCq8tcYTWzjiNZ3kF5TWk-6eY_yMbMAAj0TIbJnQfXhimP2ebN4ekvcuw2OmwmVKh8cd3RN4tmIfqTaWfvHt5W91vyoWmXQ5wTc-wpT66HkXQapWLkIIMw/s320/20210111_141526.jpg" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>~~~</div><div><br /></div><div>We have two birthday girls in January: Emilia turned ONE and Catherine turned TWELVE! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRv1GglBuTOd05wE2pJ6tvAsL0Ky9EldqVTRrrEB5abCExfKNqR-UsJVla71er4AqwuO8zzKXRH96zxfVHHJvOKySvc3lTmaQZ6kRGTvlXCbmfOTgqzOzjc6yGUz0AD9ZwKkTt2iVaNgKu/s4032/20210204_114314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRv1GglBuTOd05wE2pJ6tvAsL0Ky9EldqVTRrrEB5abCExfKNqR-UsJVla71er4AqwuO8zzKXRH96zxfVHHJvOKySvc3lTmaQZ6kRGTvlXCbmfOTgqzOzjc6yGUz0AD9ZwKkTt2iVaNgKu/s320/20210204_114314.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMYBi64QNYcnzwF8qfMKKQH3yYPQvipA4S0dhXWxlUthJcAI09mZrfQMO45KD7n02zcwkiZBpyZxe0KN-_LZtcO0K6Eg5VJIDpneFuh269hEBLIDVeX2staKfPhc58-4gP16GnaI_DbP0/s4032/20210130_164639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMYBi64QNYcnzwF8qfMKKQH3yYPQvipA4S0dhXWxlUthJcAI09mZrfQMO45KD7n02zcwkiZBpyZxe0KN-_LZtcO0K6Eg5VJIDpneFuh269hEBLIDVeX2staKfPhc58-4gP16GnaI_DbP0/s320/20210130_164639.jpg" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQbLeFFwnIoIECIkIltBoZ2ttmh1vcerWnu8papflNx-0azurK_o5fUTqk7n2bVU7ytQ-G7e4Of5wSkhxUAM5VzZE45T0p8Vy_mGzPgcXs_wsx-C-bHxEse0PmkBoAJ2TNnaqbD6vc2nJ/s3435/20210120_084606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3435" data-original-width="2655" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQbLeFFwnIoIECIkIltBoZ2ttmh1vcerWnu8papflNx-0azurK_o5fUTqk7n2bVU7ytQ-G7e4Of5wSkhxUAM5VzZE45T0p8Vy_mGzPgcXs_wsx-C-bHxEse0PmkBoAJ2TNnaqbD6vc2nJ/s320/20210120_084606.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxXDGbjqdTf8U-DhqgQ5OkTyj6e8FQvlVwi-UEQO9VtuYVJTYVPa51hPcfOTi313S8ndX6fPLHGp7bDxb2HPsytztuvfV-sT4jzBx0l8T8uDYrj7aRjdOJm7SJiKdMOCC1DfHYcsP-nKq/s3611/20210120_084618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3611" data-original-width="2961" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxXDGbjqdTf8U-DhqgQ5OkTyj6e8FQvlVwi-UEQO9VtuYVJTYVPa51hPcfOTi313S8ndX6fPLHGp7bDxb2HPsytztuvfV-sT4jzBx0l8T8uDYrj7aRjdOJm7SJiKdMOCC1DfHYcsP-nKq/s320/20210120_084618.jpg" /></a></div></div><br /><div>Cate made her own German chocolate layer cake, and she and Gianna made a carrot cake to celebrate Emilia. I am working myself out of a job!</div><div><br /></div><div>Really, though, these girls are a delight. What a gift to have a little girl in the house for all my big girls to love.</div><div><br /></div><div>And Emilia was gifted all of these sweet handmade goodies. I love seeing the kids' creativity.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQPQsGGNTJYq095fnu90GHRZIbF-GzulZqM1q12lwvla5KiSDF4XSUYIZOoHUFFycQJASu98ejv-JYTGW1rcc0veac3sQFkacFuNSlvkWWd_q-FIygrP-u0ZV-_9wLUdk0XhtxQOK_VfR/s4032/20210119_120516+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQPQsGGNTJYq095fnu90GHRZIbF-GzulZqM1q12lwvla5KiSDF4XSUYIZOoHUFFycQJASu98ejv-JYTGW1rcc0veac3sQFkacFuNSlvkWWd_q-FIygrP-u0ZV-_9wLUdk0XhtxQOK_VfR/w400-h300/20210119_120516+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>~~~</div><div><br /></div><div>For an exam treat, I bought the kids a <a href="https://amzn.to/36QFFqj">mini sticker maker</a>. It is already going to good use!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWwD9zRTfNCBxnG7vvQOTPpXi84cCloZ9It4NhyphenhyphenHWmsSN8UePlVcvp8DOkl8Fv_cukLq18FUHC-poe6mgG0lxV08Yk6a-TU-LT4dk3011MjxXZbgtJllELzdilsxhiGkXlwnSvUxLzbYl/s4032/20210203_093239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWwD9zRTfNCBxnG7vvQOTPpXi84cCloZ9It4NhyphenhyphenHWmsSN8UePlVcvp8DOkl8Fv_cukLq18FUHC-poe6mgG0lxV08Yk6a-TU-LT4dk3011MjxXZbgtJllELzdilsxhiGkXlwnSvUxLzbYl/s320/20210203_093239.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>We now have stickers on everything in the house and have used up the first roll of tape -- I'm ordering more and the kids can't wait to get it because apparently they have Big Plans. I like this little machine because it is a hand crank, so no plugging in or batteries and even my littles can use it easily. Definitely a win for all ages!</div><div><br /></div><div>~~~</div><div><br /></div><div>Last but not least: two quick announcements...</div><div><br /></div><div>First, I chatted with my friend Mariana about foreign language for the Charlotte Mason for All podcast. This is a topic I have explored for years (and that I hope to discuss at an upcoming CMEC summer retreat as well). <a href="https://charlottemasonforall.com/episode-12-foreign-languages-with-celeste-cruz-from-joyous-lessons-blog/" target="_blank">You can listen in on our conversation here</a>. Thanks to Min, Erika, Simone, and Mariana for the invite!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyqOeFb3GJeePRm9_BAMFNjZR1aWcKq9OaQLt1shGALDDORV0nuikzRfuoNSFw4MxROq7pcS0XFimY3BL3TRf3yhlw9Fr8tpc2zIREx31Vg1fxw4YD9ogY7eGqvV1rQ38RQwy7PHukYwC/s935/Charlotte+Mason+for+All+podcast.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="935" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyqOeFb3GJeePRm9_BAMFNjZR1aWcKq9OaQLt1shGALDDORV0nuikzRfuoNSFw4MxROq7pcS0XFimY3BL3TRf3yhlw9Fr8tpc2zIREx31Vg1fxw4YD9ogY7eGqvV1rQ38RQwy7PHukYwC/w400-h315/Charlotte+Mason+for+All+podcast.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Second, registration for the CMEC will be opening in just a couple weeks! We have a brand new Information Packet out that includes video tours of our curriculum, community, and resources, as well as samples of our program. To request a copy, <a href="https://www.thecmec.org/" target="_blank">head over to our website</a>! And if you would like to receive notice when we open for the 2021-2022 School Year, be sure to <a href="https://www.thecmec.org/page-18151" target="_blank">join the mailing list</a>.<div><br /></div><div>That's it for today! I hope your February has gotten off to a smooth start.<br /><div><br /></div></div>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-47052243658439632652021-01-10T18:44:00.002-08:002021-01-10T18:44:31.056-08:00A Christmas Catch-Up<p>Happy New Year! We had a comfortably quiet Twelve Days of Christmas and are finally getting used to the idea that we are back to lessons tomorrow after three weeks off. I didn't get quite as much done as I was hoping to over our break (nothing new there!), but I did do a lot of pre-reading and a good amount of work for the CMEC, and I finished a first-round edit of Gianna's first novel! (Well, it was the first round for <i>me</i>, but probably the third or fourth round for her. ;) She finished it last spring and is determined to publish it this year.)</p><p>But we're still celebrating the Christmas season here, so I thought I'd do a little catch up this evening with some snaps from our festivities over the past few weeks.</p><p>One thing I never thought we would have to do is go to Christmas Mass in a car...but such is life in California right now (and since March).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOAYsLITzz79Iur8gXm5rf_h27J0pQ2mVinwqwtlz6TXwCojQqFlJtCMDKfnKCC5-AreBA8IYZq5-JpMQv-eNisH1xHKiZDftjHDFPzm78x_yxqx9KzHMG8ZXkvroUooMA_Le9VzaY2my/s4032/20201225_072605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOAYsLITzz79Iur8gXm5rf_h27J0pQ2mVinwqwtlz6TXwCojQqFlJtCMDKfnKCC5-AreBA8IYZq5-JpMQv-eNisH1xHKiZDftjHDFPzm78x_yxqx9KzHMG8ZXkvroUooMA_Le9VzaY2my/w400-h300/20201225_072605.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A beautiful sunrise greeted us on the way home, though!<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ri2nsYlnPAYq5xuv1GjiTgi0ZPbIkST-vTGbW4EB0VjWdGaO_JcIh48uAnm5enk4E1CgoWg69Hei5VJcElR_i2Mc71aI91nkFpc6auvnkrcEIePEap5FHqyc47QDMWNi6P7OkphQXKBr/s4032/20201225_084133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ri2nsYlnPAYq5xuv1GjiTgi0ZPbIkST-vTGbW4EB0VjWdGaO_JcIh48uAnm5enk4E1CgoWg69Hei5VJcElR_i2Mc71aI91nkFpc6auvnkrcEIePEap5FHqyc47QDMWNi6P7OkphQXKBr/w400-h300/20201225_084133.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Since we weren't getting together with family at all this Chirstmas, the kids and I did a bit of extra special baking this year. These were our three favorite cookies! (My usual gingersnaps came in a close fourth.)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfS0zEn_cepqQL_OD-vSQFKN-LWO3dv0A7qtHPI1LJ1-B7OVNCx8LqdDdKHyovaVEsghIskgXIpjU2ijC48xAkNplESYzHRiFoe7XdOWyn6JUEs75CopuOsVjg-t2sXUWrEQdvz0oMCmmi/s4032/20201225_092440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfS0zEn_cepqQL_OD-vSQFKN-LWO3dv0A7qtHPI1LJ1-B7OVNCx8LqdDdKHyovaVEsghIskgXIpjU2ijC48xAkNplESYzHRiFoe7XdOWyn6JUEs75CopuOsVjg-t2sXUWrEQdvz0oMCmmi/w400-h300/20201225_092440.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>But we couldn't skip our usual Christmas brunch -- the kids want that meal to be the same every year.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd24Ie7y38rAwxOmpg78j-XObzpremY4jcuuDAOoS53Nl4QDsR-8gxmvjcAwSXdgwKta-pS5ezjxpcF9a2OQibrZH3dawKRDi82x3XP8r7NzX5pPj0SXJ6nCgjQU7m6R6fLOtrW60qG6Hc/s4032/20201225_101442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd24Ie7y38rAwxOmpg78j-XObzpremY4jcuuDAOoS53Nl4QDsR-8gxmvjcAwSXdgwKta-pS5ezjxpcF9a2OQibrZH3dawKRDi82x3XP8r7NzX5pPj0SXJ6nCgjQU7m6R6fLOtrW60qG6Hc/w400-h300/20201225_101442.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YD5h6VzTYd_ccwx-PBMAcVUZxCvBl5v-VuqmbKrJ2DUx9hxeGPzah65wwLmimzBulTGvZ0aoDRUXKW8iKwQ6jQPneocQ6mHBYgQSsdcnC5iGH3yPkZsJ437etrYIvh-t673K-HeAcqm7/s4032/20201225_104101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YD5h6VzTYd_ccwx-PBMAcVUZxCvBl5v-VuqmbKrJ2DUx9hxeGPzah65wwLmimzBulTGvZ0aoDRUXKW8iKwQ6jQPneocQ6mHBYgQSsdcnC5iGH3yPkZsJ437etrYIvh-t673K-HeAcqm7/w400-h300/20201225_104101.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>After breakfast, we always do a procession around the house to add all the Baby Jesus figures to their respective mangers...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_n0MyUurCE2WxsoZCB8US3e_sBhQwRNCErbkbVychOdCAN3dHMems4xvHkFb9dKKWJlvbuVr6s0UbjdX0UWGTiOieWo_EJSmgfPbRCJt1HIawEyLvRE6n2bFVhXFQkpnVqcKkPc2oumc/s3829/20201225_161634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3005" data-original-width="3829" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_n0MyUurCE2WxsoZCB8US3e_sBhQwRNCErbkbVychOdCAN3dHMems4xvHkFb9dKKWJlvbuVr6s0UbjdX0UWGTiOieWo_EJSmgfPbRCJt1HIawEyLvRE6n2bFVhXFQkpnVqcKkPc2oumc/w400-h314/20201225_161634.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The kids did a secret santa swap this year. They were most excited about giving their sibling gifts! They all pitched in to get Emilia a gift...</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwdi68H-17Xfle1wtl0NRKwWzYvGuiGzDaDLJZQ0KOd_QBwFOxP4zh1xmEA1Vu8N_Ou0Ykvr6Uq9TZOmgTbvPOYCtA7pSWH3Q3eH_Rbxw-XMtuORzBDj_4_wCMgVq-7Tk-CTuM70Xv9rO/s3400/20201225_132754+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3400" data-original-width="2698" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwdi68H-17Xfle1wtl0NRKwWzYvGuiGzDaDLJZQ0KOd_QBwFOxP4zh1xmEA1Vu8N_Ou0Ykvr6Uq9TZOmgTbvPOYCtA7pSWH3Q3eH_Rbxw-XMtuORzBDj_4_wCMgVq-7Tk-CTuM70Xv9rO/s320/20201225_132754+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXqAVKegcasTIGE7wPylSLfeIcbYvodZ5IQ-keiZMejkZG7S3CqgYFuD9nJM5_lAfIYenFDW2L3OnojcPR_N_JjFKMwrG5WrvkObds_CFOqP9SgP256xmZG4lQYk6B4Zyow6-1havheHE/s4032/20201225_115120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXqAVKegcasTIGE7wPylSLfeIcbYvodZ5IQ-keiZMejkZG7S3CqgYFuD9nJM5_lAfIYenFDW2L3OnojcPR_N_JjFKMwrG5WrvkObds_CFOqP9SgP256xmZG4lQYk6B4Zyow6-1havheHE/s320/20201225_115120.jpg" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUrYsns9qHMibUR7JROrbvmINiMKm0MOjrOPEgmguTzfjZAjtGONckZXXxTulVm48XwOZWQYVtnMowupieVENWzgmnz5o446Ag-M1SgsrBTCF2OOzRyNjCUJOCrg52qNgmjCB0LDVelwo/s4032/20201225_115131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUrYsns9qHMibUR7JROrbvmINiMKm0MOjrOPEgmguTzfjZAjtGONckZXXxTulVm48XwOZWQYVtnMowupieVENWzgmnz5o446Ag-M1SgsrBTCF2OOzRyNjCUJOCrg52qNgmjCB0LDVelwo/s320/20201225_115131.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEd8CtwyO15wf8ZOpGLPaB_dAXU95oBAZTEL1FDMvmTpRJwxknCDTOCE-cIOgOgNdwCMCUzwxCS760Cm59EU_xrPSh248aA_uPXtNU0LE5FCR0PUH1O8Bg2m_Wo8drSEkiTxD5K3fFHrz/s4032/20201225_115145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEd8CtwyO15wf8ZOpGLPaB_dAXU95oBAZTEL1FDMvmTpRJwxknCDTOCE-cIOgOgNdwCMCUzwxCS760Cm59EU_xrPSh248aA_uPXtNU0LE5FCR0PUH1O8Bg2m_Wo8drSEkiTxD5K3fFHrz/s320/20201225_115145.jpg" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqlKuFAl5JzVMtoAsIU1T6PfIKQFvp0ssBt7mJQjHcqUKyYNX6A75qEmHuSpAGf3QFXxtydNeu-imZszwZWBXibsz8R3V6NaGWcJ01ETE8q73FfNTB2oME7r_uKiCvCDKuAJXShUZSvlw/s4032/20201225_115148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqlKuFAl5JzVMtoAsIU1T6PfIKQFvp0ssBt7mJQjHcqUKyYNX6A75qEmHuSpAGf3QFXxtydNeu-imZszwZWBXibsz8R3V6NaGWcJ01ETE8q73FfNTB2oME7r_uKiCvCDKuAJXShUZSvlw/w300-h400/20201225_115148.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>That big smooch was just the reaction they were hoping for!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVanbhFr_SgCi0RxnwPwZgtyg6l2Vckqz0RUJs6qtMa1qgVHV2D2gxPWb5_4yfBV1OqBqJqal3jb3HYi9oWEXip3pvXhwgiLPixfMz2YOEiI42BTckmsxUWTzesQNdRtOKh5nVkdwnzfbJ/s4032/20201225_112059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVanbhFr_SgCi0RxnwPwZgtyg6l2Vckqz0RUJs6qtMa1qgVHV2D2gxPWb5_4yfBV1OqBqJqal3jb3HYi9oWEXip3pvXhwgiLPixfMz2YOEiI42BTckmsxUWTzesQNdRtOKh5nVkdwnzfbJ/w400-h300/20201225_112059.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Each year I make each of the kids an ornament. I usually tie it to one of our handicraft projects from the year. This year we have been working with raffia, so I made these raffia circles using plastic canvas coasters:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwicI1maTwllvhqysNp1UsoZNyRiR0DxSPqh1dC8Sz3XRftfCbEPtHnn9gEuD4_fTMvz5KmXqe-kf-xEEfbaFM97oApHIj9wfwdjNqfoomxJJmnWgrfZqShX0Fd3SUvEnRmdsuh0LW0IhC/s4032/20201225_132052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwicI1maTwllvhqysNp1UsoZNyRiR0DxSPqh1dC8Sz3XRftfCbEPtHnn9gEuD4_fTMvz5KmXqe-kf-xEEfbaFM97oApHIj9wfwdjNqfoomxJJmnWgrfZqShX0Fd3SUvEnRmdsuh0LW0IhC/s320/20201225_132052.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>I took the advice of a friend and kept my middle kids busy prepping some "fun" foods...</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6sPh6w9D5AZu4f_7ah-E4-nzGr7f2OBP5eezqQD6VNmrvZv41tUd2k5RIVHyNzgI5ZXaxMLUWYHg5fsvmsg9UXDQ7TZQVNqhQJmK2DZkWCcWBw_QsGikzBFNCh1Db2Pp9olIWulcDPj4/s4032/20201225_091923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6sPh6w9D5AZu4f_7ah-E4-nzGr7f2OBP5eezqQD6VNmrvZv41tUd2k5RIVHyNzgI5ZXaxMLUWYHg5fsvmsg9UXDQ7TZQVNqhQJmK2DZkWCcWBw_QsGikzBFNCh1Db2Pp9olIWulcDPj4/s320/20201225_091923.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5IGdmJUuw4_Gyhb4siCqaUSy55cYwANdI7sG78zOa1lTDFJ7RnVG5G2rnw1Czvo4cehjRIs6kIBcqpZXbuEqcx3ZrdSmnXycIZSNMqKZDMw7gmrrSg3yHpvyB5klHRg2ZsM8xwG67mXlL/s4032/20201225_091859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5IGdmJUuw4_Gyhb4siCqaUSy55cYwANdI7sG78zOa1lTDFJ7RnVG5G2rnw1Czvo4cehjRIs6kIBcqpZXbuEqcx3ZrdSmnXycIZSNMqKZDMw7gmrrSg3yHpvyB5klHRg2ZsM8xwG67mXlL/s320/20201225_091859.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGjUUThyDL61HWfespG3Mu2ADiAFw6UWacFo2Ly-Q6ds2XCtiyMFWj6jdG70Esr2UNhAHzy6xwovbA7QsY-14pMnITIYsVLNhkiFupzNNsqnLbTS-sD4twXbdnofb-p7dU-bzUk2fzxNi/s4032/20201225_155909+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGjUUThyDL61HWfespG3Mu2ADiAFw6UWacFo2Ly-Q6ds2XCtiyMFWj6jdG70Esr2UNhAHzy6xwovbA7QsY-14pMnITIYsVLNhkiFupzNNsqnLbTS-sD4twXbdnofb-p7dU-bzUk2fzxNi/s320/20201225_155909+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div>A little wonky, perhaps, but everything tasted great. ;) We did appetizers and pies for dinner and it was all <i>so </i>good. I have been working on my pie crust this year and the holidays are a good opportunity to practice! I should have made a couple more because these didn't last long. ;)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1OSO2KCfeAM4AyRQjAVH0vaOf8UfG3cwhaSkt9TU2IgPvXG9EPXlHmWIu2WZSxIz6k7tIvGWRK9SaKT146Q71L-7gQ4i9R47rE2kBp0sRpzdcJN3y1AA6hCXBrNR1aBVhKmlI5TyGJqt/s4032/20201225_161729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1OSO2KCfeAM4AyRQjAVH0vaOf8UfG3cwhaSkt9TU2IgPvXG9EPXlHmWIu2WZSxIz6k7tIvGWRK9SaKT146Q71L-7gQ4i9R47rE2kBp0sRpzdcJN3y1AA6hCXBrNR1aBVhKmlI5TyGJqt/w400-h300/20201225_161729.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I'll be back soon to share some favorite gifts as well as what we have been reading -- LOTS and LOTS of reading by everyone (including me) over the break!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Wishing you a happy, healthy, HOLY New Year!</b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfwiIF3PPjGmARjLiUivicM0AyEyXmgXxjptSPD-ltIC-BCp2lrkTLiQkzcd6HfJZNobtWIZWfX_JlpikB4Q9HZ-4J7seX6k5BoDMN4VXCNx8PLWz_f3jXLe_FSkRQ76dpsEOm4OfqvAw/s3570/20201122_085053%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2679" data-original-width="3570" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfwiIF3PPjGmARjLiUivicM0AyEyXmgXxjptSPD-ltIC-BCp2lrkTLiQkzcd6HfJZNobtWIZWfX_JlpikB4Q9HZ-4J7seX6k5BoDMN4VXCNx8PLWz_f3jXLe_FSkRQ76dpsEOm4OfqvAw/w640-h480/20201122_085053%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-34997723084671913072020-11-26T18:53:00.002-08:002020-11-26T18:59:53.369-08:00A Few of Our Favorite Things :: 2020<p>In the midst of my own Christmas shopping, I thought I'd pull together a few current "favorite things" from our house in case you're looking for gift ideas! (Warning: it's a random assortment! But all things we use and love or are gifting this year. :))</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjGIkrefR0Eb4I1LypwcsKlDOgdpGQb4o7aKAOe20lBQSpj6u2JlUBeuLnGgLToKSx07JMCWTJ5mlRhvHXc8gtol62LBygtuyF1YSiowuOg9u1ZTTF2C3tkcZN6Pet1wNkRG4XQu9zdRQ/s5120/Pictures+-2022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="5120" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjGIkrefR0Eb4I1LypwcsKlDOgdpGQb4o7aKAOe20lBQSpj6u2JlUBeuLnGgLToKSx07JMCWTJ5mlRhvHXc8gtol62LBygtuyF1YSiowuOg9u1ZTTF2C3tkcZN6Pet1wNkRG4XQu9zdRQ/w640-h160/Pictures+-2022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><u>For Baby</u></p><p><a href="https://amzn.to/3frHX2a">These bibs</a> are still used at every meal at our house and have held up wonderfully. (I first posted about them <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2018/12/a-few-of-our-favorite-things.html">here</a>. All the other "favorites" in that post are still in rotation here also, just FYI.) I love how big these are, how well they stay on, and how easy they are to clean -- just throw straight in the wash. They really are water/foodproof, and two years later, look as good as they did on the day we bought them.</p><p>I grabbed <a href="https://amzn.to/33dhHDI">this teether for Emilia</a> this year. It caught my eye because it has a "stopper" so she isn't so inclined to gag herself while she teethes -- which for some reason she really loves to do! LOL We will see if she likes it.</p><p>We have two sets of <a href="https://amzn.to/37dvWtk">this set of sensory balls</a> and my littles have loved them through the years.</p><p>Our leather-soled baby shoes finally need replacing this year at Kid #10. That's a lot of wear! I consider them an essential toddler item and am deciding between <a href="https://amzn.to/3laHYc7">these </a>and <a href="https://amzn.to/3o1U1dE">these</a> for Emmy.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZnrjnL_34toorE5rNKB9wqJNkrFjn7yX8hNp5LEntP2117FbjYofJY4kyzZIfMMkedMss8TDeZYsEtI159OH3FCFS_na702jmmlShyphenhyphen_giwSxvGZwx0g3Clr1hSHA_nzVzl2NWU9rYwLF/s5120/Pictures+-+2020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="5120" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZnrjnL_34toorE5rNKB9wqJNkrFjn7yX8hNp5LEntP2117FbjYofJY4kyzZIfMMkedMss8TDeZYsEtI159OH3FCFS_na702jmmlShyphenhyphen_giwSxvGZwx0g3Clr1hSHA_nzVzl2NWU9rYwLF/w640-h160/Pictures+-+2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><u>For Littles</u></p><p>I have mentioned <a href="https://amzn.to/3fDNO4A">Schleich animals</a> before but I'll mention them again: big winner in our house, year in and out! These durable figurines are used for all kinds of things here -- from a geography tableau in the sand tray, to a "family" of kangeroos in the dollhouse.</p><p>I usually use Christmas or Easter to restock our <a href="https://amzn.to/378zL2S">sidewalk chalk</a>. When you have a lot of children, consumable gifts are so welcome to keep a handle on the clutter!</p><p>Speaking of consumables, my littles have also been enjoying <a href="https://amzn.to/2J4W3e2">Wonder Stix</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/39pgBc7">chalkboard placemats</a> this year. They clean up easily with baby wipes or a wet paper towel, and the colors are so vivid. You can also use the stix to write on windows and regular chalkboards.</p><p>One last handicraft idea that has been a hit here: yarn! You can pair with <a href="https://amzn.to/2JikcgK">plastic canvas</a> and some dull needles (<a href="https://amzn.to/3mefbob">plastic </a>or <a href="https://amzn.to/369qxUU">metal</a>), or you can gift with a <a href="https://amzn.to/3liQndD">knitting tower</a> or <a href="https://amzn.to/3m5EvwB">lucet</a>. Littles can also braid bracelets with the help of a clipboard (get the <a href="https://amzn.to/3o4fTVH">kind with the straight metal clip</a>) to hold the ends. (And if you are like I am and have old skeins of yarn lying around from long-forgotten projects, just give them the tools and then turn them loose with your stash! ;))</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolu-61fyi_uxSR2sOABLZ0C6ip0snkNbPDQSFPkH4SukPHeugJEGHRdaOm1hfSbjG_PPk-BbF3ma5QtQ4C-UmwRuw6_Ctpg975kLVB8cXKsnmm16_9uNOs4LT1gALShKNGn00MfrAx1c7/s5120/Pictures+-+20201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="5120" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolu-61fyi_uxSR2sOABLZ0C6ip0snkNbPDQSFPkH4SukPHeugJEGHRdaOm1hfSbjG_PPk-BbF3ma5QtQ4C-UmwRuw6_Ctpg975kLVB8cXKsnmm16_9uNOs4LT1gALShKNGn00MfrAx1c7/w640-h160/Pictures+-+20201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><u>For Boys</u></p><p>My kids have all loved <i><a href="https://www.naturefriendmagazine.com/">Nature Friend Magazine</a></i> through the years, but particularly my boys. And who doesn't love getting mail?</p><p>A little unorthodox perhaps, but my sons eagerly anticipate our restocking their personal supply of tape at Christmas and Easter. We do regular <a href="https://amzn.to/3pYzgBj">scotch tape</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/2JkZm0A">duct tape</a>, and <a href="https://amzn.to/37dvL18">washi tape</a> for them to use for their building and crafting projects. (The girls like washi tape too! It makes a great stocking stuffer.)</p><p><a href="https://amzn.to/2JbobMB">This set of sports balls</a> is one of our go-to gifts for little boy birthdays. They are great for outside <i>and </i>inside use (if you don't mind pictures getting hit down from walls now and then...or maybe that's just my house?) and are baby-friendly too.</p><p>I'm putting together a post on knot-tying featuring <i><a href="https://amzn.to/369FExK">My First Book of Knots</a></i> and <a href="https://amzn.to/3o0t0XP">this handy practice set</a> -- two instructional resources we have used for many years.</p><p>(I am thinking about doing some <a href="https://amzn.to/2KJgbD0">Toobs army figures</a> for my boys this year. Anyone love these? Are they as durable as the Schleich animals?)</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLWJGKJig7DpVRH3sK0Jkb-0RiaVdQJKq7WQpAgfDGNw2EoVzA6nyaFh52iueS-sNhEWU3jh7exleOEZJgWZ1wR9OXZtBORLbSYhA7bq8IdUtHqMYk4jSlG1qk3aVwzzp_RZDWI1pq2OT/s5120/Pictures+-+20204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="5120" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLWJGKJig7DpVRH3sK0Jkb-0RiaVdQJKq7WQpAgfDGNw2EoVzA6nyaFh52iueS-sNhEWU3jh7exleOEZJgWZ1wR9OXZtBORLbSYhA7bq8IdUtHqMYk4jSlG1qk3aVwzzp_RZDWI1pq2OT/w640-h160/Pictures+-+20204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><u>For Girls</u></p><p>We have a tradition of getting a sports watch for each child for their 12th birthday. I got Gianna <a href="https://amzn.to/3m3jdzw">this watch</a> and just bought one in a different color for Cate, whose birthday is coming in January. Not only has it been sturdy, but I like the feminine profile and my girls like the fit.</p><p>Each of my big girls has <a href="https://amzn.to/33gENt6">this recipe box</a> and it is so pretty!</p><p>My oldest bought <a href="https://amzn.to/2J4TwQO">these scrunchie ribbons</a> for the girls of the family to share last year and they get worn by one or another of the sisters daily. It's such a easy way for them to add a bit of style to their outfits. (This year I grabbed a <a href="https://amzn.to/3fuxbrL">pack of these</a> for them to share.)</p><p>If you have a girl who has "graduated" from this <a href="https://amzn.to/3ocjbq3">great beginner book for friendship bracelets</a>, we recommend <a href="https://amzn.to/36aSI5T">this one</a>. Gianna got this for her birthday a few months ago and has found it not only helpfully written but also full of unique and challenging designs.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaZJtylb9yXgh81QviqzDec0RbvjuZ5W8DfX40ThCCM5oISdkDEfsasMDEXNECl6NnY0zW6WJgayiIP4fefXfJDjsqVckHHBG6_wGSUSz6b0m3TvsVGXILfp_V8GPpJmaafQLG9DDDu1M/s5120/Pictures+-+20202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="5120" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaZJtylb9yXgh81QviqzDec0RbvjuZ5W8DfX40ThCCM5oISdkDEfsasMDEXNECl6NnY0zW6WJgayiIP4fefXfJDjsqVckHHBG6_wGSUSz6b0m3TvsVGXILfp_V8GPpJmaafQLG9DDDu1M/w640-h160/Pictures+-+20202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><u>For the Whole Family</u></p><p>I love the Cavallini aesthetic! In the past, I have purchased their <a href="https://amzn.to/2HDq4ki">mini-notebooks</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/3fCZwwc">puzzles</a>, and <a href="https://amzn.to/3q1Gq7H">posters </a>as gifts and am doing the same this year. They have so many different vintage designs. The foreign language posters, nature displays, and maps would be especially charming additions to a schoolroom.</p><p>Whether you are looking for something to liven up Morning Time with your kids or an inspiring addition to your personal morning routine, we love <i><a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/cloud-of-witness">The Cloud of Witness</a></i> and its companion volume for children, <i><a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/the-golden-key">The Golden Key</a></i>. (We have begun a tradition of giving each child their own copy of the latter when they enter Form 3, alongside a copy of the <a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/volume-4-ourselves-our-souls-and-bodies-combined-9s97z-bndg5">first volume of <i>Ourselves</i></a>.)</p><p>My kids are crazy for lettering, and I enjoy using good markers to set up my logbook grids -- we all gravitate to the Staedtler Triplus Fineliners! They would make a good mom-friend gift or family gift. This year, a few of my kids are getting <a href="https://amzn.to/33mMYEp">this set</a> this Christmas because I am tired of sharing! :)</p><p>I mentioned handicrafts for littles and for boys above, but supplies make great gifts for older kids too or can give you a jump start on family art for the term ahead. The posts from my <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/search/label/Getting%20Started%20with%20Handicrafts">{Getting Started with Handicrafts}</a> series offer lots of great options for putting together your own handicraft kits.</p><p>If you or your children send a lot of letters: my kids love using sealing wax for a fun finish. They got <a href="https://amzn.to/37brxXV">a set last year that included a botanical stamp</a>, and this year, I have my eye on <a href="https://amzn.to/2J2Alrb">initial stamps</a>.</p><p>If you're looking for games that don't take up too much room in the cabinet (my constant dilemma!), we recommend <a href="https://amzn.to/369PaRf">Iota </a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/3nZz6HR">Qwixx</a>, and <a href="https://amzn.to/33kMJK5">Phase 10</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXJjyTHV0TlIHoTBGcBe4Pvf_FHmHx8J-nIjZg43c6spVetfzIc_X7ahsA8ov3sS4VJU4PRgo7jtfcUx8L0Bz5gMPnqyDZoIRe3J4ekwfEiQKDovYXosRmuXw0GKYn1uXjAYNYUghhUTW/s5120/Pictures+-2021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="5120" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXJjyTHV0TlIHoTBGcBe4Pvf_FHmHx8J-nIjZg43c6spVetfzIc_X7ahsA8ov3sS4VJU4PRgo7jtfcUx8L0Bz5gMPnqyDZoIRe3J4ekwfEiQKDovYXosRmuXw0GKYn1uXjAYNYUghhUTW/w640-h160/Pictures+-2021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><u><p><u>For Your Homeschool Mom Friends (or Yourself!)</u></p></u><p></p><p>I have the newly-released <i><a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/scale-how-meditations">Scale How Meditations</a></i> on my wishlist this year. I already have an old paperback copy, but who can pass up a Riverbend Press hardcover?</p><p>Have you seen the <a href="https://emiliaspost.com/shop/">prints from Emilia's Post</a>? Not only does she have beautifully lettered quotes from classic writers (including <a href="https://emiliaspost.com/product/prints/how-large-is-the-room-charlotte-mason/">Charlotte Mason</a>!) but I have one of these <a href="https://emiliaspost.com/product/prints/theotokos-and-christ-tenderness-mini-print-pack/">little madonnas</a> and it is super sweet.</p><p>Over time, I have been building a collection of ceramic cookware -- easy to use, easy to clean, and looks nice for serving as well. I have <a href="https://amzn.to/3m3mUVU">another pie plate</a> on my list this year. <a href="https://amzn.to/2JbVO0A">Granite Ware</a> is my other go-to; I have a huge roasting pan that gets near-daily use for our family of 12.</p><p>Speaking of ceramic, I have had <a href="https://amzn.to/3nSiAtk" target="_blank">this mug</a> for several years and it's durable and convenient. And I love how much it can hold! I use it as my go-to tea mug.</p><p>If you have a friend who would love some notebook-keeping supplies, I have all of our favorites on my <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/p/products-we-love.html">Products We Love </a>page!</p><p>~~~</p><p>So -- it's a bit of a random assortment, but as I sat down at my computer, these are the items that came to mind. :)</p><p>Let me know: what are your best ideas for this year's gifts? I still need something small for a few of my kids and for my husband. But I'm always looking for suggestions to bookmark for the future too. Hit me up with your ideas!</p><p><i>(Links above may be Amazon affiliate links. Thanks for your support!)</i></p>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-39246951066411065742020-11-23T18:43:00.003-08:002020-11-23T18:43:45.565-08:00{This and That} :: Thanksgiving Week<p>Hello friends! It is hard to believe we are in late November now. We have a short school week this week for Thanksgiving, and then we're officially halfway through our school year! I can't believe how fast this school year is flying by. </p><p>~~~</p><p>First happy news: my oldest two were confirmed!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-YAKoS1FVQPLsAP0DOk9wovx7qMSPYsjlxsJFP3AEXjK4VAu60DpT6ik6PRwDLx6u_MixYdLU18UuTo-ZqjjrrcDXtm3lY0bLeCgbLQYqbnrWmttQhyphenhyphenaU-9w9j2BMDFTRv_9iW8jH_iI/s4032/20201114_094437.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-YAKoS1FVQPLsAP0DOk9wovx7qMSPYsjlxsJFP3AEXjK4VAu60DpT6ik6PRwDLx6u_MixYdLU18UuTo-ZqjjrrcDXtm3lY0bLeCgbLQYqbnrWmttQhyphenhyphenaU-9w9j2BMDFTRv_9iW8jH_iI/s320/20201114_094437.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht685q-H5reAzqmqClvMgOSFww1OBnr-friQeoC4bxceanADgDlplk1RAPyVxj2NdvxFcTvkIJRzJoOvKKQ6yWEglCxj22uHKJxkQqW14-1K2AbW3JE28CJ72xvKOzB_Zh4nuLA8qmYJfI/s4032/20201114_152242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht685q-H5reAzqmqClvMgOSFww1OBnr-friQeoC4bxceanADgDlplk1RAPyVxj2NdvxFcTvkIJRzJoOvKKQ6yWEglCxj22uHKJxkQqW14-1K2AbW3JE28CJ72xvKOzB_Zh4nuLA8qmYJfI/s320/20201114_152242.jpg" /></a></div></div><p>Their sponsor got them these watercolored saint portraits from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheFigandThimble" target="_blank">The Fig and Thimble</a>. They love them!</p><p>For their confirmation saints, Gianna picked St. John the Evangelist and Vincent picked St. John Bosco. Both choices were unexpected but made sense to me in hindsight.</p><p>We are studying Titian this term, so we thought it would be neat to get Gianna a framed print of Titian's <i>St. John the Evangelist on the Isle of Patmos</i>. Isn't it striking? Vincent got a couple books about St. John Bosco that he has already started reading.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96GRR8QtkhKMzwzTDwJ-vwEpsKDt5pmVZUUqzzJSBTm5armLZSgwPn0cAggMHQDln77WXs5D0shcgluOQ2qTs1PD0lJv1Vh-evRESRMdsxy-yLCpvddePEIYda9tCr75HInyPcR6UB3Rc/s3245/20201115_093527+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3245" data-original-width="2961" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96GRR8QtkhKMzwzTDwJ-vwEpsKDt5pmVZUUqzzJSBTm5armLZSgwPn0cAggMHQDln77WXs5D0shcgluOQ2qTs1PD0lJv1Vh-evRESRMdsxy-yLCpvddePEIYda9tCr75HInyPcR6UB3Rc/w365-h400/20201115_093527+%25281%2529.jpg" width="365" /></a></div><p>Gianna asked me for an at-home Confirmation Retreat, so I prepared a week's worth of short readings for them to do alongside their novena to the Holy Ghost. I pulled completely from religious books we already had on our shelves -- a little wisdom from St. John Vianney, Cardinal Newman, the Baltimore Catechism, Mother Loyola, and more. It is so nice to have a good selection of books to choose from for projects like this! I am always thankful to my younger self for taking the time to scour used bookstores and church library sales and investing in a long-term library of our own.</p><p>~~~</p><p>Emilia just turned ten months old! She is so playful and determined. She loves all the attention she gets from her siblings and plays Peek-a-Boo, Pat-a-Cake, and This Little Piggy. She is also a full-time walker now. Such a fun age! If only she could start napping a little more reliably... :)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmiwNwZHrkilI8y9c_Xe2Z1G-cW2K__9WUq5UIZS1sO5_JgoZeMCozo5QlbOKfASW-LytPlzxrLo8CBrOPX3mO6kQ7EGOxk9f4c5DrTn8ig0TQYF0LLlyllnxJ0HYd73Dfud4W0hwuzaM/s1350/IMG_20201104_083949_868.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmiwNwZHrkilI8y9c_Xe2Z1G-cW2K__9WUq5UIZS1sO5_JgoZeMCozo5QlbOKfASW-LytPlzxrLo8CBrOPX3mO6kQ7EGOxk9f4c5DrTn8ig0TQYF0LLlyllnxJ0HYd73Dfud4W0hwuzaM/s320/IMG_20201104_083949_868.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19Fbg0nO2rgs8kJ-2fvRzODJQtfGfeM8uByuusDBOx4AflnBO06fy-2D0lOlOKjKeRNAGZckOWW2whxOtqY5cEipR110E0DEJeCfRqo568gpftsExYE5VOrEcr12wndWl5HOOlSykkTDb/s4032/20201104_083240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19Fbg0nO2rgs8kJ-2fvRzODJQtfGfeM8uByuusDBOx4AflnBO06fy-2D0lOlOKjKeRNAGZckOWW2whxOtqY5cEipR110E0DEJeCfRqo568gpftsExYE5VOrEcr12wndWl5HOOlSykkTDb/s320/20201104_083240.jpg" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div>~~~<div><p>We did the seasonal clothing switch-out last week. This is one of the chores I dread each year, simply because of the sheer number of children and clothes. My kids have capsule wardrobes -- very manageable and streamlined. They all wear a "uniform" of sorts, as you may have noticed from posts through the years. But still, if I were a millionnaire, I would donate the kids' wardrobes at the end of each season and start fresh every time! There is just something about this task that always ends up being more complicated than it ought to be.</p><p>However, I'm finding that the chore has been getting progressively easier -- even though I have more kids than any other year, having more bigs than littles really has helped so much! And this year, my to-buy list is unprecedently short: just a couple pairs of replacement leggings for my girls and a few tops and bottoms for Vincent, my oldest, who grew several inches this year. Gianna is now as tall as I am and has been for about a year, so I think she's close to finished growing. All of her clothes from last year still fit, which has never happened for any of my children, ever! A new stage of parenting, for sure.</p><p>I also gave all of my girls (except Emilia) haircuts this past week! All but Clara had it down to their waists and were super overdue for a cut, but they LOVED their long hair. They finally consented and they love the shorter hair too, thank goodness.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gwxYnbn2j3L7PRCGZiWBJ3I8SvscpxjDLyMY01HGWV988RDstqDySmTs4WMNNb1BE8t6ChBWGn2tt473yuYdEsRCNwkb8UWai-SfFprQIatlUI6xW7CuQ7OAZ4NOuN-9m_krbNqLjxo9/s4032/20201120_091751.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gwxYnbn2j3L7PRCGZiWBJ3I8SvscpxjDLyMY01HGWV988RDstqDySmTs4WMNNb1BE8t6ChBWGn2tt473yuYdEsRCNwkb8UWai-SfFprQIatlUI6xW7CuQ7OAZ4NOuN-9m_krbNqLjxo9/w400-h300/20201120_091751.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>~~~</p><p>Are you getting started with Christmas shopping? I am hoping to take some time over Thanksgiving weekend to look through my lists and begin making plans. We keep things very simple around here, just a few things per person, but times that by ten and it's still a pretty big task. But I have been quite determined to get my shopping done before Advent this year.</p><p>(Speaking of Thanksgiving, I have a post from ten years ago here on the blog that I always share this time of year: <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2013/11/cooking-up-thanksgiving-feast.html">Cooking Up a Thanksgiving "Feast.</a>")</p><p>I also took and ordered photos for our Christmas cards this weekend. Christmas cards take a good amount of time to put together and send out, but they always feel worth it to me -- and especially this year. Sending something personal during a year of very little personal interaction is the kind of hopeful statement I want to end the year on.</p><p>I am planning to pull together a few quick gift ideas here on the blog this weekend if I get a chance, but in case you're wanting suggestions now, <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I have a bunch of favorite links from last year compiled here: <a href="https://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2019/11/this-and-that-thanksgiving-and-advent.html">{This and That} :: </a></span><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2019/11/this-and-that-thanksgiving-and-advent.html">Thanksgiving and Advent</a>.</span></p><p><span style="color: #222222;">And since we are almost at Advent, you can <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/search/label/Advent">read more about Advents past in our home</a>. This year we'll once again be lighting the Advent wreath, choosing Christkindls, observing some special feast days, and decluttering and deep cleaning with a hopeful but penitential spirit! And we'll be adding the free <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CH6jN0EjUZq/">printable Advent calendar from Lydia</a> -- so lovely.</span></p><p>~~~</p><p>Our Halloween was quiet -- there was no trick-or-treating in our neighborhood, so we stayed home and had an impromptu party. We told the kids they had 45 minutes to dress up as a saint with items from the constume bin. Then we spent the evening playing board games and making cookies. In times like these, I'm grateful that we always have enough people for a party here at home!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_G11J7teHCU_gdQdPqMgCRLlMYP92TgAKPZOE0mFFtWeuFmshPmgwh58JpFA4kPrlUQYqkg-cOkJtLgaU2XnGZGsf-3dUFhls9JEKhpisWJfgUw61tncAy9Kd9cDk7CRzLfXjCtWlA-M2/s2473/IMG_20201031_192616_568.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2473" data-original-width="2473" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_G11J7teHCU_gdQdPqMgCRLlMYP92TgAKPZOE0mFFtWeuFmshPmgwh58JpFA4kPrlUQYqkg-cOkJtLgaU2XnGZGsf-3dUFhls9JEKhpisWJfgUw61tncAy9Kd9cDk7CRzLfXjCtWlA-M2/s320/IMG_20201031_192616_568.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWd_LqGCuLWYRhPWuESTXy7r3EHwDEcDUT2kEqLNPLmSZnLDuKt06jtFTSZ1McMvWVNBfUHUnw1YsAsw7ZSgFBXoMhafA_oQfibaasXVTkvEGga9iHOAkkxbMiBS4p_pvI3OmEwuliuM_i/s4032/20201031_190740.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWd_LqGCuLWYRhPWuESTXy7r3EHwDEcDUT2kEqLNPLmSZnLDuKt06jtFTSZ1McMvWVNBfUHUnw1YsAsw7ZSgFBXoMhafA_oQfibaasXVTkvEGga9iHOAkkxbMiBS4p_pvI3OmEwuliuM_i/s320/20201031_190740.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The hit of the night was <a href="https://amzn.to/3pZh0YC" target="_blank">Pictionary</a>, which we don't play that often...but every time we do play it, I think we ought to play it more! It is such a fun game if you have preschoolers in the mix.</p><p>~~~</p><p>Justin turned five! Besides books and a Schleich animal, he got <a href="https://achildsdream.com/embroidery-floss-assortment-pack-36-skeins/">embroidery thread</a> for making friendship bracelets and a bunch of <a href="https://amzn.to/3fqBeWd">plastic canvas squares</a> for "sewing" with yarn. He was so pleased and has done little else since then. He is truly a delightful kid and I am soaking up this age.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUEcJy76KRUd2SkwO7eks_Hce4bAvU1t41bguWS5zNl84ghNYgRmHX9W-lgRfdYpvcf9VwNlNGSaYPjxP_h66u1raI77lsdZfAlu-yVdhbACY1Ks87Xcr6GCobiv1cJX_YCdgbtk0lEYN/s3655/20201109_111218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3655" data-original-width="2610" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUEcJy76KRUd2SkwO7eks_Hce4bAvU1t41bguWS5zNl84ghNYgRmHX9W-lgRfdYpvcf9VwNlNGSaYPjxP_h66u1raI77lsdZfAlu-yVdhbACY1Ks87Xcr6GCobiv1cJX_YCdgbtk0lEYN/s320/20201109_111218.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8MWEoNUhj5Im60jLlsHQ2-YnP6XTOIpGRqq1BCY2CWB9KGJzRJv0JCDB-8qdmHTVy_2IYSvtkRzgdARz2ctck8xEdnFm1Q-uZ3ftjejtkWvk2pL9q-DfjWjpU07DB5immyRYwtZIBWEr/s3466/20201109_113929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3466" data-original-width="2571" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8MWEoNUhj5Im60jLlsHQ2-YnP6XTOIpGRqq1BCY2CWB9KGJzRJv0JCDB-8qdmHTVy_2IYSvtkRzgdARz2ctck8xEdnFm1Q-uZ3ftjejtkWvk2pL9q-DfjWjpU07DB5immyRYwtZIBWEr/s320/20201109_113929.jpg" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>~~~</div><div><br /></div>Scenes from the past couple weeks...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDshyh0lqKX79MPWbruIapXVJGmcD4ewZtRVSF-1HsD5FfG8Rr3Mf6czaoq1q8DJoDsx_U1QHUv5yRHwk96M4WVuxBvqLt6KoCjYoJEs4Ba9UJbL2lJTSvh1cdBOqkHzQj6ad5pacF1jz/s3773/20201104_101620.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2892" data-original-width="3773" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDshyh0lqKX79MPWbruIapXVJGmcD4ewZtRVSF-1HsD5FfG8Rr3Mf6czaoq1q8DJoDsx_U1QHUv5yRHwk96M4WVuxBvqLt6KoCjYoJEs4Ba9UJbL2lJTSvh1cdBOqkHzQj6ad5pacF1jz/w400-h306/20201104_101620.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3pZhkGO">Animalium </a></i>has a helpful diagram to accompany <a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/history-of-england-jmgjn" target="_blank"><i>Life and Her Children</i><br /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lmmHcjJIKHVENCgf6ZwJg3cDm2rloS_BD35X_AqSQFLAUOIAjzHQxHrCIIv1qJCowSRvDjHefgPwP9-zaTTOr0UO6D2JAQ63FBpcKHJfRhLpkm7F304LNnoDp_Kp_IO2l-T1hmSkQmxG/s3929/20201103_152624%25280%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2854" data-original-width="3929" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lmmHcjJIKHVENCgf6ZwJg3cDm2rloS_BD35X_AqSQFLAUOIAjzHQxHrCIIv1qJCowSRvDjHefgPwP9-zaTTOr0UO6D2JAQ63FBpcKHJfRhLpkm7F304LNnoDp_Kp_IO2l-T1hmSkQmxG/w400-h290/20201103_152624%25280%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More <i><a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/fesole-club-papers-collingwood" target="_blank">Fesole </a></i>-- this time, a still life!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7jmw4IRRg0K9TeCnK3Gs1ar-dFq2ylojGjntGHL_BSm9BwrO5AhavSzm05KwWKMnPJOmPhLVlDAlCb-HuhEN-Lp2WnWu865uha80OhjcHgV5nbsVWHZu_1OCpRfRtbeaNrbamjQF5tqn/s4032/20201103_115536.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7jmw4IRRg0K9TeCnK3Gs1ar-dFq2ylojGjntGHL_BSm9BwrO5AhavSzm05KwWKMnPJOmPhLVlDAlCb-HuhEN-Lp2WnWu865uha80OhjcHgV5nbsVWHZu_1OCpRfRtbeaNrbamjQF5tqn/w400-h300/20201103_115536.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vincent set up his still life as well, but hasn't finished his painting yet -- isn't it perfect for fall?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3094" data-original-width="2905" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmxqHf_Vk3xLqrs3aoADOh3FvWv5n_PjZcyGH-tZHhgISQslZkYG_WaFLNI9nnF8LzmbR4gTd91wM14VQjvSxet8BxstbYLqr-7vTnL_mEdPkKlWGCE0mMPd5hAbSxVwZmKIT7KnBcOIi/w375-h400/20201113_120224.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="375" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free time painting for Bridget after studying Titian's <i>Saint Christopher</i></td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmxqHf_Vk3xLqrs3aoADOh3FvWv5n_PjZcyGH-tZHhgISQslZkYG_WaFLNI9nnF8LzmbR4gTd91wM14VQjvSxet8BxstbYLqr-7vTnL_mEdPkKlWGCE0mMPd5hAbSxVwZmKIT7KnBcOIi/s3094/20201113_120224.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jpCltvNaROAbZvSHhILkyn-arLny7da04006mPz1tJ_zIxd4hg0EfoHAVRzKkFXWRnnf_AwkFQkxzf1bKIIA4-QFtqYy-ebIEUAgkFEmdWiUFQcJdjpKCqE_gkD8PCMOwceDQzjxJmuC/s2613/IMG_20201108_155309_890.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2613" data-original-width="2613" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jpCltvNaROAbZvSHhILkyn-arLny7da04006mPz1tJ_zIxd4hg0EfoHAVRzKkFXWRnnf_AwkFQkxzf1bKIIA4-QFtqYy-ebIEUAgkFEmdWiUFQcJdjpKCqE_gkD8PCMOwceDQzjxJmuC/w400-h400/IMG_20201108_155309_890.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireside prepping (my favorite!) for the Form Meetings with <a href="https://www.thecmec.org/">the CMEC</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1v8zK9db3EtCtHiZtuUKQ-QZ2zwDSRCyV1lI9a4eV-oRIsBePSBqPbezHO_3aVl-PwkVmb9Dop4fGQOCa1LrEEW95vxvwpweGK9XwJGqUHxuwQLigucTxlQeRC5GzYa_swLu7-BCgUdz/s4032/20201102_131653.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHM7BOohWRT7iEk0K2hQZJyn3U3F6S39CSsIbp7WxsaMCFP1-DJZ44DW-0RiCT8X7aro8HL20zOjMCXg5GoO7GW6P6I2Ttiu3DJ6vdSK8MVG8MUry_x9FSHndfjY6xt2dtbYPJvAJC5fu/s3447/20201120_091617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2599" data-original-width="3447" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHM7BOohWRT7iEk0K2hQZJyn3U3F6S39CSsIbp7WxsaMCFP1-DJZ44DW-0RiCT8X7aro8HL20zOjMCXg5GoO7GW6P6I2Ttiu3DJ6vdSK8MVG8MUry_x9FSHndfjY6xt2dtbYPJvAJC5fu/s320/20201120_091617.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California fall!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And some recent work in clay over the past two weeks. We all love this medium!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1v8zK9db3EtCtHiZtuUKQ-QZ2zwDSRCyV1lI9a4eV-oRIsBePSBqPbezHO_3aVl-PwkVmb9Dop4fGQOCa1LrEEW95vxvwpweGK9XwJGqUHxuwQLigucTxlQeRC5GzYa_swLu7-BCgUdz/s320/20201102_131653.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkhj_TRMQ8n-eHsfmNkC1AyLlx8L2fXiDIppaFk9BR21s4UpS7Xz8v-wS37kraJMiKVuWt-i3_u3eEbgCbu54O7XpFx49A5XoFQ8TKrf-i84xVAaB5jXaDFZfuIQm3w59-Hhnmc2FURRg/s4032/20201109_133909.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkhj_TRMQ8n-eHsfmNkC1AyLlx8L2fXiDIppaFk9BR21s4UpS7Xz8v-wS37kraJMiKVuWt-i3_u3eEbgCbu54O7XpFx49A5XoFQ8TKrf-i84xVAaB5jXaDFZfuIQm3w59-Hhnmc2FURRg/s320/20201109_133909.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYaAOLaemUt4HCLg_4hpjcDIqky8CzpPwi5O3OS5Dq_vYMPUj-snhLgWvG6TiPQGr9M8_2kyuCyn8YSjoSTq22Q6q2066IrWCNtPppX4UKJlJShUF7nVcBHm1tAE3WtSgKS2QfZunyyPo/s4032/20201109_133712.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYaAOLaemUt4HCLg_4hpjcDIqky8CzpPwi5O3OS5Dq_vYMPUj-snhLgWvG6TiPQGr9M8_2kyuCyn8YSjoSTq22Q6q2066IrWCNtPppX4UKJlJShUF7nVcBHm1tAE3WtSgKS2QfZunyyPo/s320/20201109_133712.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbVOWYckXrKgyy3xp5w5cxvwfsFPpcn9nVO_cEi9jRXPJFtLJukZuUd_rEh_8_ei_n0QEDUecndASjoNtC3kG2cUGjHhezivpnF-5ttHYBk1OfmQCHzl1lJ5EYgaABgGWSt9xQM_hNUt3/s4032/20201109_133809.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbVOWYckXrKgyy3xp5w5cxvwfsFPpcn9nVO_cEi9jRXPJFtLJukZuUd_rEh_8_ei_n0QEDUecndASjoNtC3kG2cUGjHhezivpnF-5ttHYBk1OfmQCHzl1lJ5EYgaABgGWSt9xQM_hNUt3/s320/20201109_133809.jpg" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-x_vyzC5_G-BQBQawKSDPbQ2z0u9_oTzW_qJh2pU79DROCEx6ASl0s8YcSRAaP7KkFdu7b1lozjGvN1bdZoYet23aSyljFs6_UW5yIV4-KjPyTAjYRNS68IQDz2OwN9Oc4_oCetb7eud/s4032/20201116_141121.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-x_vyzC5_G-BQBQawKSDPbQ2z0u9_oTzW_qJh2pU79DROCEx6ASl0s8YcSRAaP7KkFdu7b1lozjGvN1bdZoYet23aSyljFs6_UW5yIV4-KjPyTAjYRNS68IQDz2OwN9Oc4_oCetb7eud/s320/20201116_141121.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtckaIcdU_s1V4F5Y1OyxjeveO-n9GZBu5ehIFt23yR1sJB4j_mpZsXs-erTxwvxw2h8hNModclWmEV9PfVa8nN_HlkVPKnMYPYUTNgDFUHWAG5wULQQ-Fvv4tZxxmGpe29kjmlJq6e-D/s3103/20201116_141230.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2468" data-original-width="3103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtckaIcdU_s1V4F5Y1OyxjeveO-n9GZBu5ehIFt23yR1sJB4j_mpZsXs-erTxwvxw2h8hNModclWmEV9PfVa8nN_HlkVPKnMYPYUTNgDFUHWAG5wULQQ-Fvv4tZxxmGpe29kjmlJq6e-D/s320/20201116_141230.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Mp6yIVENxp5n79UGp8glRnBfa6wYE5T9Fvcmj4GanhF3LObbOHgnyItncFXRCUgbQQar4qDIkh9-p_UD4qL6m1vbysoHApYeJ427B_pdfbujDVIzCt0vL1mxO_LXX9HuMyMivc_PVlN3/s2916/20201116_141755.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2719" data-original-width="2916" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Mp6yIVENxp5n79UGp8glRnBfa6wYE5T9Fvcmj4GanhF3LObbOHgnyItncFXRCUgbQQar4qDIkh9-p_UD4qL6m1vbysoHApYeJ427B_pdfbujDVIzCt0vL1mxO_LXX9HuMyMivc_PVlN3/s320/20201116_141755.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_VlhmfiE1cQsiLtHTUwtcmod0wp-E6zTEGRuyZxaYdTtoARLHP_K5tsfjk4GzS_mMkK6MTnKjiYm7Xsg5pArII9Jg-pCL13sAnRZvjr4Qzm5h5gvClZF_loHQO2c6h6cTwfFkHVI-P6e/s3396/20201116_141817.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2746" data-original-width="3396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_VlhmfiE1cQsiLtHTUwtcmod0wp-E6zTEGRuyZxaYdTtoARLHP_K5tsfjk4GzS_mMkK6MTnKjiYm7Xsg5pArII9Jg-pCL13sAnRZvjr4Qzm5h5gvClZF_loHQO2c6h6cTwfFkHVI-P6e/s320/20201116_141817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRfROkjCmCfLWZHChDndQrpFMGh3PslYTUx0PJU3jZpGLwIFNWt8u7bjJsEv4li0tu2Wg8yuletLabyuYC5R1i5QbeazC0Dcjpob_H70US1kwmSZCdW-jLGmg9v2Cwk9PtDvaWXxJeknK/s3103/20201116_141852.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2463" data-original-width="3103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRfROkjCmCfLWZHChDndQrpFMGh3PslYTUx0PJU3jZpGLwIFNWt8u7bjJsEv4li0tu2Wg8yuletLabyuYC5R1i5QbeazC0Dcjpob_H70US1kwmSZCdW-jLGmg9v2Cwk9PtDvaWXxJeknK/s320/20201116_141852.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrvnldjT47yWJBuia_gkgeYv-9btmXeDvhepMCJ17hRQcBy0cgvuKf-7HPD1KUlX1Vcc75yKc4yh40PjVB5gIdL0LLfixwRhf5KrQKm4bVj9UfsVTi95YhnhyphenhyphengqLCenjfwoj5cP8Pl5wU/s3195/20201116_141907.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2466" data-original-width="3195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrvnldjT47yWJBuia_gkgeYv-9btmXeDvhepMCJ17hRQcBy0cgvuKf-7HPD1KUlX1Vcc75yKc4yh40PjVB5gIdL0LLfixwRhf5KrQKm4bVj9UfsVTi95YhnhyphenhyphengqLCenjfwoj5cP8Pl5wU/s320/20201116_141907.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>(We have <a href="https://amzn.to/2J6Kq5O">these silpats</a> and Chavant Clayette clay -- which is unfortunately out of stock right now, but I'll add the link when it's back -- both thanks to recommendations from the art teacher at the CMEC. The Fall Mini-Retreat immersions were so helpful in giving us a good start.)</div><div><br /></div><div>~~~</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, that's it for now! What are you up to this holiday weekend -- and what's on your menu? I am going with a classic Thanksgiving line-up this year, though we'll do chicken instead of turkey since my husband prefers it. But I am looking forward to teaching my girls to bake apple pie! I have made it by myself in the past but skipped the past couple years. Now I have eager helpers, and I think we'll have a good time perfecting the method. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>And before I go, I want to say too that I am grateful to the kind community of readers who read along, leave comments, and send emails -- thank you for your encouragement and I wish you a wonderful week!</div><div><br /></div><div><i>(Links above may be Amazon affiliate links -- thanks for your support!)</i></div>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-38019006891396595912020-11-07T07:56:00.000-08:002020-11-07T07:56:09.398-08:00My Planning Tools for 2020-2021 :: Logbooks and Timetables<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKY_RYC2NgCHcOLqCS-iXPjxkE7dZ8Ni_5b5velRlZ6UefT-K1_qhZCDajPTzW63-7YsiGUK9oICbd21wAmF9q4DBXe5UR68zow5o7M6ZFyH2bT26OTSaMICSsGILZATuUADw048WZBPx/s1080/IMG_20200822_152337_557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKY_RYC2NgCHcOLqCS-iXPjxkE7dZ8Ni_5b5velRlZ6UefT-K1_qhZCDajPTzW63-7YsiGUK9oICbd21wAmF9q4DBXe5UR68zow5o7M6ZFyH2bT26OTSaMICSsGILZATuUADw048WZBPx/w640-h480/IMG_20200822_152337_557.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I have had some requests on Instagram to share a closer look at my logbook, so I thought I'd hop over here and pull together a post about my process this year. This is one of those topics it is much easier to blog about than to answer DMs about!</p><p>In the past, I have used different ways of organizing my plans, managing my days, and pre-reading. <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/search/label/Scheduling">I have blogged about those strategies as well</a>.</p><p>Here I'm going to share about what is working for us <i>this </i>year. Over the past couple years, I have changed my approach quite a bit -- and for the better! I have a few different tools I am using that have been very successful for us, even with seven students in three Forms and lots of littles alongside.</p><p><b>LOGBOOK</b></p><p>But for the past couple years, I have adopted the practice of a logbook, which is an idea straight from the PNEU that I have adapted for our family. <a href="https://learninghowtolive.com/">Amy </a>was the one who introduced me to the logbook -- she and I discussed the topic briefly <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=529g967KX9k">over at Charlotte Mason Coast to Coast</a> a couple years ago. (If you are a CMEC member, we went into logbooks in more depth during this year's Summer Planning Mini-Retreat, and we have plenty of examples on the Logbooks and Timetables page under Resources.)</p><p>Simply put, the logbook offers me a place to LOG the work we do in each lesson block and my reflections on that work (as needed).</p><p>This year, I am using two-page spreads for each 5-week session (half-term -- we do 10-week terms). Last year I tried to fit a full term on one spread and I didn't have enough room for notes, but the half-term seems to be just right.</p><p>I have spreads for Form 1 and 2 readings, Form 2 readings and work, Form 1 students, and family studies. This grid format allows me to see several weeks at a glance so that I can notice patterns, ongoing problems, and progress.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4fFpG9rUGsQtECQ0qfI9L03kCEnTWqD4NqJhOtOcTaTQayMQrfVdPe1Ri-8DJiIwppGWvscmbIV3IrZeYpkGOTFcmHcfWXuIrdvShipmqkW_9DCIKRZA45uV_4OcSn6R0sW5xgbQxG4p/s3886/20201025_134746.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2726" data-original-width="3886" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4fFpG9rUGsQtECQ0qfI9L03kCEnTWqD4NqJhOtOcTaTQayMQrfVdPe1Ri-8DJiIwppGWvscmbIV3IrZeYpkGOTFcmHcfWXuIrdvShipmqkW_9DCIKRZA45uV_4OcSn6R0sW5xgbQxG4p/w400-h280/20201025_134746.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKI_2YH_5OjFtCDQMs5ThzSYIUyvWM9FayfCFaVbYf7nsO3y5Hmg_HNgUmzC_gdq-iE1OLF6UUYni3pkbgy97P3C-mDoK59sBLvifagtFHraAQkijHIunrjJm8bTMW7syeCNGsUehI5Ru/s3810/20201025_134733.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2661" data-original-width="3810" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKI_2YH_5OjFtCDQMs5ThzSYIUyvWM9FayfCFaVbYf7nsO3y5Hmg_HNgUmzC_gdq-iE1OLF6UUYni3pkbgy97P3C-mDoK59sBLvifagtFHraAQkijHIunrjJm8bTMW7syeCNGsUehI5Ru/w400-h279/20201025_134733.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9dI9ULPNAoW2IJv-me9awYU6gpITx4690zCbwgJhyphenhyphenbHSbkFUYpT-ElO2c9Gzqvb1rK_fc2OSjSu2cwHH9loJEQw2NOshyW4SVPl-iK1fMrIcjuaPyqTT_fvH4Ei6mpr3ymXxiQ7LxKFh/s3971/20201025_134759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2797" data-original-width="3971" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9dI9ULPNAoW2IJv-me9awYU6gpITx4690zCbwgJhyphenhyphenbHSbkFUYpT-ElO2c9Gzqvb1rK_fc2OSjSu2cwHH9loJEQw2NOshyW4SVPl-iK1fMrIcjuaPyqTT_fvH4Ei6mpr3ymXxiQ7LxKFh/w400-h281/20201025_134759.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42Y4r3vFQgWeP_2CuAEge-GrPPfcgd3TqZXPJwIM1RlKCBkaAFI6I7Fg4OpOhniYFsIgDq0xC0HGzuTceb-FquDN1FfM7f9AnRZpwNIW5aivQNcEcKND6BSoBSUGuaZ80mSQ_AOqz2SEu/s3938/20201025_134811.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2786" data-original-width="3938" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42Y4r3vFQgWeP_2CuAEge-GrPPfcgd3TqZXPJwIM1RlKCBkaAFI6I7Fg4OpOhniYFsIgDq0xC0HGzuTceb-FquDN1FfM7f9AnRZpwNIW5aivQNcEcKND6BSoBSUGuaZ80mSQ_AOqz2SEu/w400-h283/20201025_134811.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Here are a few filled-in examples from earlier this year:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaUu6oIYqwcAL4rOdpaqqAsu_oYoBPglQnQGhfuvCbSmSTnAdLiFXA0QqDPnL7p5HA6Atti8Wkwz89G13wXfP08Ee_N8Jpl1YSl-Jd6p6i0OZ00dYFVkVfuG974xgVYxLrSWuj4T9wsYj/s3881/20201025_134928.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2727" data-original-width="3881" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaUu6oIYqwcAL4rOdpaqqAsu_oYoBPglQnQGhfuvCbSmSTnAdLiFXA0QqDPnL7p5HA6Atti8Wkwz89G13wXfP08Ee_N8Jpl1YSl-Jd6p6i0OZ00dYFVkVfuG974xgVYxLrSWuj4T9wsYj/w400-h281/20201025_134928.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzyrTnreZtNtWToxA6Jhf2MNL_bo7xMHiQ6GHIi87-nV2RF1scE2ZelGg0-A7AWYUY2noCxHxpUp7GdikE62JEUcREDALZo4A_PGNrG2PYaVdo_vF6o5HBBBUKOZ9cm6T8YOpJEkWMTce/s3990/20201025_134922.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2873" data-original-width="3990" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzyrTnreZtNtWToxA6Jhf2MNL_bo7xMHiQ6GHIi87-nV2RF1scE2ZelGg0-A7AWYUY2noCxHxpUp7GdikE62JEUcREDALZo4A_PGNrG2PYaVdo_vF6o5HBBBUKOZ9cm6T8YOpJEkWMTce/w400-h288/20201025_134922.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzEUimB-DxZL3v04xsoLiBgYNm9hxPpTU8rSaVuqTSAISEIFVUqjULiopD-C3vNoLIyl8-gPe2pPC-CbKQPjfbDXk5hbLqJyUubGca1lpEXG-JgWyMV4GAuRx-__N1OPHhSVLNhNmtPcZ/s3914/20201025_134935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2751" data-original-width="3914" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzEUimB-DxZL3v04xsoLiBgYNm9hxPpTU8rSaVuqTSAISEIFVUqjULiopD-C3vNoLIyl8-gPe2pPC-CbKQPjfbDXk5hbLqJyUubGca1lpEXG-JgWyMV4GAuRx-__N1OPHhSVLNhNmtPcZ/w400-h281/20201025_134935.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><p>I have my logbook open during the day so I can jot down notes as we go!</p><p><b>SCHOOL PLANNER</b></p><p>I also use my logbook for planning. I write up a weekly grid to work from based on each day's timetable, then sit down weekly to think through my plans for each slot.</p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw62wKk-9xkRotrf0_Ii6mDNkEUXkJH12fj__phkvsP4v4xTNdC9QQY2jTOhltsInHAWoaCizEV3BflOXSvAxTaj3fH9dJDpw6Myw8rTsLHOTSRO39nSFnRwxTaJ8_Q1UWYCj_nJK96zyw/s3829/20201025_134829.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3829" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw62wKk-9xkRotrf0_Ii6mDNkEUXkJH12fj__phkvsP4v4xTNdC9QQY2jTOhltsInHAWoaCizEV3BflOXSvAxTaj3fH9dJDpw6Myw8rTsLHOTSRO39nSFnRwxTaJ8_Q1UWYCj_nJK96zyw/w400-h286/20201025_134829.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">blank and ready to go!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQU5iUV6PhChqrnjVxwg-VnKHe8vZS4fCl-99Q48fsvAnOdyen3y5PdRJ4IzozEX2QUAjjP62BXM-mckfWbt3x3e15jNYlJBOt59YZTaoTWvjhMc2FBpubOfpKHgdq7-ZjuoozgpV-eprQ/s4032/20201101_111912.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQU5iUV6PhChqrnjVxwg-VnKHe8vZS4fCl-99Q48fsvAnOdyen3y5PdRJ4IzozEX2QUAjjP62BXM-mckfWbt3x3e15jNYlJBOt59YZTaoTWvjhMc2FBpubOfpKHgdq7-ZjuoozgpV-eprQ/w400-h300/20201101_111912.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">filled in for the week (except special study -- I jot my plans there over the weekend)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I am doing less weekly pre-reading this year since I did so much over the summer. So I get out my pre-reading notebook to reference during this prep session, adding any important notes I have for myself and marking with a post-it any discussion points I want to bring up with my older kids during the week. (I just pull out my pre-reading notebook and work from there in those moments.)</p><p>My weekly prep time takes about an hour this year. I also do some related bedtime reading: the high school literature books, biographies, and religion reading that I didn't get to over the break.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYSmbfytOkAaOby08RZNL4yIrKS5Ar0q4VthawT71owoJMWlhZv-lHDnf-I8lCLbTHRXyr6XRyPIgyZriEs5bT6Fje388n__HYS0Xktes7MmgnKi8Ng5QJtRaWfcZ9J1DQBkKjhEFMutD/s4032/20201025_092605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYSmbfytOkAaOby08RZNL4yIrKS5Ar0q4VthawT71owoJMWlhZv-lHDnf-I8lCLbTHRXyr6XRyPIgyZriEs5bT6Fje388n__HYS0Xktes7MmgnKi8Ng5QJtRaWfcZ9J1DQBkKjhEFMutD/w400-h300/20201025_092605.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>At the end of each day, I look back over my plans and see what didn't get covered -- and I circle it. Sometimes I think we'll have time for an activity that we don't actually fit in the block. Sometimes we read a little less (or more!) than I had planned. I circle those things to remind me to consider them when I am making the next week's plans or to cover at Weekly Meeting, depending on what it is. (Sometimes I have a discussion point or side note I wanted to bring up with my high schoolers but forgot. That kind of thing I bring to Weekly Meeting on Friday to discuss there.)</p><p>This weekly grid is my brain during the week! I use it to direct my lessons for every Form, every day.</p><p><b>PRE-READING NOTEBOOK</b></p><p>I mentioned my pre-reading notebook above. I have shared about <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2018/04/pre-reading-as-schole-or-mid-year.html">various ways I have kept my notes before</a>.</p><p>This year, I had much more reading to do with the older kids in high school, so I decided to simplify my notebook practices. Instead of drawing and painting in my pre-reading commonplace and keeping another notebook with more logistical notes, I am just keeping one lined notebook this year for all of my notes. </p><p>The first half has my book notes - main ideas, discussion points, ideas for lessons. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCk1vOj7gx_favPLR3n_x6wXpgJnmQeV98lvSVFn9CkKbP4vmUuyzQyeuiWDj0z3kJFLdQJbkwV2nGl5LKG_bcJGDd9Mi4eILkigbhQMZp9fzq-RenW_WA8vHV-WcKYTxOmmr2EvUfXN7D/s4032/20201024_191554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCk1vOj7gx_favPLR3n_x6wXpgJnmQeV98lvSVFn9CkKbP4vmUuyzQyeuiWDj0z3kJFLdQJbkwV2nGl5LKG_bcJGDd9Mi4eILkigbhQMZp9fzq-RenW_WA8vHV-WcKYTxOmmr2EvUfXN7D/w400-h300/20201024_191554.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The second half is a simple commonplace book -- just quotes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz08yrsEfE9kPOSXZSgqO3ojRwTYoQZIjdc6jWjHUz3tj3WolM352-5tFfWdCBRNoRsI1OhXikkIWyinAK4n6onbtvHJQ8WFi9YCYbaBKCZxKAzMyf_wL7Qe026jf8EKfbmG6r8bBeDwf/s2905/IMG_20201018_132723_972.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2905" data-original-width="2905" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz08yrsEfE9kPOSXZSgqO3ojRwTYoQZIjdc6jWjHUz3tj3WolM352-5tFfWdCBRNoRsI1OhXikkIWyinAK4n6onbtvHJQ8WFi9YCYbaBKCZxKAzMyf_wL7Qe026jf8EKfbmG6r8bBeDwf/w400-h400/IMG_20201018_132723_972.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>I filled up most of this notebook over the summer, but there is still room for me to add for the books I am reading week by week or term by term.</p><p>This is now my reference book that I pull out weekly (at <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2017/03/our-weekly-meeting.html">Weekly Meeting</a> and <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2017/01/my-weekly-planning-pre-reading-session.html">my weekly planning time</a>), whereas my logbook is my working notebook that I use daily.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dbz8UU8yDSZ9yJIPxXKcz0frExmyL_J_dVKeCBi6XkYTKKtuOuILaIzUYFz1a-ARZZpSehxKE8JvLKrnlvokzaxJak2ztcoC5oPr7uQjoEXrT8elTLiGPRaTN-qWpCHBECdFENjLmw18/s3552/20200829_085312.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2888" data-original-width="3552" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dbz8UU8yDSZ9yJIPxXKcz0frExmyL_J_dVKeCBi6XkYTKKtuOuILaIzUYFz1a-ARZZpSehxKE8JvLKrnlvokzaxJak2ztcoC5oPr7uQjoEXrT8elTLiGPRaTN-qWpCHBECdFENjLmw18/w400-h325/20200829_085312.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>In the past, my pre-reading notebook has been a creative project for me. But this year, I wanted to focus on commonplace-keeping and working in my Book of Centuries, so that is where I have been putting my reading-related notebook time.</p><p></p><p><b>LOGBOOKS FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS</b></p><p>My high school kids are actually keeping their own logbooks this year, so although I do keep my plans for them in my weekly spread, I do not log their work daily. I bought planners from Target that are set up with blank categories so that they could dedicate a column to each day of the week and just work down their timetable of subjects in order. I have them make note of Afternoon Occupations at the bottom of each column, and they have space on the side for them to make note of things they want to discuss at Weekly Meeting, goals for themselves, notes for online classes, etc. They have this logbook, their timetable, and their program, and they work through their days very independently! It has worked so smoothly for us.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLHiPoke3L5tGku5ZW1EYclaulxXpodNLZI9RtEYoeQmu2Z-dlmDEzpWDeJAmsZOY44dyyTYUm8pe318IdE6z3oA4MChiiTOOjcivfpLXXfMCS85PVNXV9KLuzQNZMSO44Z5zSV0jB13a/s4032/20200807_150705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLHiPoke3L5tGku5ZW1EYclaulxXpodNLZI9RtEYoeQmu2Z-dlmDEzpWDeJAmsZOY44dyyTYUm8pe318IdE6z3oA4MChiiTOOjcivfpLXXfMCS85PVNXV9KLuzQNZMSO44Z5zSV0jB13a/w480-h640/20200807_150705.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Any notes that I want to keep about my high schoolers go right on my weekly spread (that right column has room for my general reflections). Or if there is an issue I need to troubleshoot, I just turn the page and brainstorm there! The notebook is set up like a bullet journal in that I don't have it all laid out in advance. This allows me a lot of flexibility in my record-keeping.<p></p><p><b>FAMILY TIMETABLES</b></p><p>I used to schedule our days to be very flexible, just carving out school blocks and fitting in whatever fit on a given day. I felt like that worked very well for the season I was in at the beginning, with more littles than school-aged kids. It also fit my personality -- I am one that tends to push too hard rather than not hard enough, so even though I didn't have a strict line-up for the day, we were always getting it all done. It was a good system for us.</p><p>But the past two years I have worked with a formal timetable for our lessons time and I LOVE it. I don't think I could school this many kids, have this many good conversations, hit all the "books and things," and still keep my sanity without it! I put a lot of thought into what our schedule should look like during the summer and then just follow it week by week. If I need to make a change -- if something isn't working or we want to try something new -- I just adjust it, print a new one, and go from there. I also review the timetable after each five weeks to see if it needs a refresh.</p><p>Since I have multiple Forms, I have a family timetable for each weekday. The stack is hung on the fridge and we flip to the right day each morning. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ub-ab5SOnl7ghiOeQEdCjSWjvpLkrxs9wDt-NXX4TYHsyx2P_NT9bHkZsz-ivXGpy3udctL7Tz44XXhCaWGUjnFRnw_vToeVtuVj1ZljipF_jxXWyRo2lbcAseoyqzRY4LqIir57M4fy/s3755/20201027_113342.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3755" data-original-width="2880" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ub-ab5SOnl7ghiOeQEdCjSWjvpLkrxs9wDt-NXX4TYHsyx2P_NT9bHkZsz-ivXGpy3udctL7Tz44XXhCaWGUjnFRnw_vToeVtuVj1ZljipF_jxXWyRo2lbcAseoyqzRY4LqIir57M4fy/s320/20201027_113342.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXHvOsrbUR0LlGkOKGGoWVZRQ_eTmmKCGUMWTTzLnl0Rgh867JM0x6x3fPvskxDo7TSrc1MDNr5CYIpMS-FKPsB8utgeyQfVzeEDcZ90I2Hu9HYz9KvxA-ACqZjuhxs-iL0ceBSoS_BUz/s4032/20201027_113434.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXHvOsrbUR0LlGkOKGGoWVZRQ_eTmmKCGUMWTTzLnl0Rgh867JM0x6x3fPvskxDo7TSrc1MDNr5CYIpMS-FKPsB8utgeyQfVzeEDcZ90I2Hu9HYz9KvxA-ACqZjuhxs-iL0ceBSoS_BUz/s320/20201027_113434.jpg" /></a></div></div><p>My high schoolers each have their own timetable in their notebook. Their timetables are personal to them because they share books, so I often have them flip-flop subjects to accommodate that. But I still have them on our family chart so that I know roughly where they are in their day at any given time. And they join us for afternoon lessons, so I can see at a glance what time that will happen on any given day.</p><p>All that said, we do not always follow this exactly as scheduled. Right now, Emilia is napping in the morning and late afternoon and Damien naps mid-afternoon. So occasionally, I will swap the Form 1 and 2 kids' lesson block (12:30-3pm) and outside time -- we begin their line-up of lessons whenever she goes out and work straight for two hours. Then we pick back up when the older kids are scheduled to join us at around 2pm for our last few family subjects each day. But even when we change our beginning time, we still follow the order and length of these lessons, which keeps us all on track and ensures we have variety and balance!</p><p>The timetable takes away the effort of decision, holds me accountable, gives me peace in the moment, and helps our days with multiple students run smoothly. I don't have to think through whether one of my students will need a book while another student is already using it, or if I'll be available to hear a narration. All of that has been accommodated! And I can adjust during my reflection time when needed.</p><p>So that's a tour through my tools this year. Have you tried a logbook? Where do you like to keep your notes and thoughts for lessons, or your reflections on the day/term/year? I'd love to hear what methods work for you. :)</p><p>(And because I know you are going to ask: the robin's egg blue and navy notebooks below are <a href="https://amzn.to/3e3tKI6" target="_blank">hardcover XL classic moleskines</a> in lined for the pre-reading notebook and dot grid for the logbook. I use <a href="https://amzn.to/35zGRwE">my very favorite mechanical pencil</a>, a black ballpoint, and a set of <a href="https://amzn.to/34u0zdO" target="_blank">Staedtler Triplus Fineliners</a> in these notebooks. There is some ghosting with the markers, but since I only use those to draw my grids (and opt for light colors anyway), I am fine with that. Pencil and ballpoint work fine on these thin pages, though. The thinness of the pages allows for a LOT of pages in just one small notebook, which I really like for this purpose. <i>Links above are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!</i>)</p></div>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-59762763275048741592020-11-04T18:45:00.000-08:002020-11-04T18:45:08.895-08:00Justin's Kinderleben<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvRTeXogKmhk8jAyodR_BNrbxw4RL-Wf2BKAfeVa-eoWKkBB4XuNydDvP6aYVg1my5NSuqb0DnWKNXJ0tUUcUzZJGp2ZGVwdAye3txU7Ra2bpjaEOPDTugtboMtpYzFrUP8hU3UzkSeJd/s2856/2020+cruz+photos+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1907" data-original-width="2856" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvRTeXogKmhk8jAyodR_BNrbxw4RL-Wf2BKAfeVa-eoWKkBB4XuNydDvP6aYVg1my5NSuqb0DnWKNXJ0tUUcUzZJGp2ZGVwdAye3txU7Ra2bpjaEOPDTugtboMtpYzFrUP8hU3UzkSeJd/w640-h429/2020+cruz+photos+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Justin is technically still in preschool since he is a late fall birthday; next year will be his true kindergarten year. But with Andrew starting first grade and formal learning this year, he has been feeling pretty left out. Damien still naps during our main school block, so Justin is on his own while my Form 1 students do lessons. He is also a very calm, diligent worker -- not as wild as some of my other boys are/have been! So I put a bit more effort this year into setting him up with real work he can do during our school time.</p><p>He still takes a 45-minute rest time at the very beginning of our Naptime School block, and then he can work alongside us quietly. He also joins us when it makes sense -- artist study, composer study, dance, drill, singing games, Italian, and so on. He is a lively and enthusiastic addition to our school day.</p><p>Amy and I wrote a Kinderleben Guide for the CMEC this year, and reading the<i> Parents' Review</i> articles for that gave me plenty of fresh inspiration for setting up Justin's spaces, materials, and schedule. So many great suggestions from the PNEU writers! With this being my eighth time through kindergarten, it's always nice to have new eyes for the possibilities it holds.</p><p>And just a caveat: I do not schedule any formal learning time with Justin one-on-one at this point. I read a few picture books to my little boys each day, but otherwise, he just keeps himself occupied with the options he has available or joins in with what the older kids are doing. At least a couple hours of his day are spent outside, and he has daily chores as well.</p><p>Here are some peeks into his work...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-MIaTKQjFsap2MgLoeyTgeyH_7Jj5QRncFsDTceOJ5v4FzHT04NA0WfYUKAABPug_VbRxsGrU2VPL2s5LqbunITKgcFrI5yKInlHUvAwEYbPykWydu_GHZUNxo-mB6zIdK79OWiu5mXd/s4032/20200921_141245.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-MIaTKQjFsap2MgLoeyTgeyH_7Jj5QRncFsDTceOJ5v4FzHT04NA0WfYUKAABPug_VbRxsGrU2VPL2s5LqbunITKgcFrI5yKInlHUvAwEYbPykWydu_GHZUNxo-mB6zIdK79OWiu5mXd/w300-h400/20200921_141245.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">he loves <a href="https://amzn.to/2JoaZUh" target="_blank">the magic mat</a>!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhvh_wCUXvfbggUc4ERmVVG5vBcbH-1afUvWbyCaIrXe-OYLv25Hul-DLXOQHK7THnDlXYYiYteVBgbErPt0XNEx-6k9VlXlVQy0JTBt04T47RNpQ304Eo7V7wDHJjqI6yDEl9-6rtgU6/s4032/20200914_151459+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhvh_wCUXvfbggUc4ERmVVG5vBcbH-1afUvWbyCaIrXe-OYLv25Hul-DLXOQHK7THnDlXYYiYteVBgbErPt0XNEx-6k9VlXlVQy0JTBt04T47RNpQ304Eo7V7wDHJjqI6yDEl9-6rtgU6/w300-h400/20200914_151459+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">made this box from memory after my sloyd lesson with the Form 1 kids<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFiBKiaqBIio40C7SmOjllKnG7P6AK6dVe6C16umvGKwYAGOgbhsAhFWN1QStWmA9Nrevo5FkW9Qr_5T3zabxwQ3s9_pX7WAfSz4AronBuc_5E6jtDFWCkfobGqQPn6w8DYcGipUR1Vwi/s4032/20200907_142910.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFiBKiaqBIio40C7SmOjllKnG7P6AK6dVe6C16umvGKwYAGOgbhsAhFWN1QStWmA9Nrevo5FkW9Qr_5T3zabxwQ3s9_pX7WAfSz4AronBuc_5E6jtDFWCkfobGqQPn6w8DYcGipUR1Vwi/w300-h400/20200907_142910.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the <a href="https://amzn.to/2HKkKMj" target="_blank">wooden pattern blocks</a> get near-daily use</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nVFjVPhdteT0O7Su27r3uQDRSZ6l9WZ_j3zqEV6BhQEwM4076Q5S2DEXzKJ4UFI_97K0jTdruBucN-WW814FKesRE0W0w8AxFweirmALO23-boVT1pFAO7fLf7UANOgI9MNSRdL1NwNI/s3301/20200906_153628.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2670" data-original-width="3301" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nVFjVPhdteT0O7Su27r3uQDRSZ6l9WZ_j3zqEV6BhQEwM4076Q5S2DEXzKJ4UFI_97K0jTdruBucN-WW814FKesRE0W0w8AxFweirmALO23-boVT1pFAO7fLf7UANOgI9MNSRdL1NwNI/w400-h324/20200906_153628.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lined up a bunch of Gianna's handmade dolls to draw them</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-wLcSH-vtBy8m4788LhJ7rD7azAAzskuBRe929LzUm2jcTLvST8ULHlj23phnJX6r6W4YmEP8gvc-CiDlBS0l7YO9X89oM8Wgv4h3xFn7pGoT4PUB9JbRNQRuk6j5MiGnQEnOJRcst_K/s4032/20200902_135950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-wLcSH-vtBy8m4788LhJ7rD7azAAzskuBRe929LzUm2jcTLvST8ULHlj23phnJX6r6W4YmEP8gvc-CiDlBS0l7YO9X89oM8Wgv4h3xFn7pGoT4PUB9JbRNQRuk6j5MiGnQEnOJRcst_K/w300-h400/20200902_135950.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">he also loves chalk drawing!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-wLcSH-vtBy8m4788LhJ7rD7azAAzskuBRe929LzUm2jcTLvST8ULHlj23phnJX6r6W4YmEP8gvc-CiDlBS0l7YO9X89oM8Wgv4h3xFn7pGoT4PUB9JbRNQRuk6j5MiGnQEnOJRcst_K/s4032/20200902_135950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MSOLW5DfPdTJwY5aWXIcueQENfw1JtckmS1CQSlqWZEALwPo8ih9kymI8Hk0mJtgly5O6pvLkGsi6K0wW0uC5RKxKLnZoN-uhO7-EIN8YX_InRokoWKy7I5ljWHkSwBzOPepCLYAe0Hm/s3242/20200831_110629.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2869" data-original-width="3242" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MSOLW5DfPdTJwY5aWXIcueQENfw1JtckmS1CQSlqWZEALwPo8ih9kymI8Hk0mJtgly5O6pvLkGsi6K0wW0uC5RKxKLnZoN-uhO7-EIN8YX_InRokoWKy7I5ljWHkSwBzOPepCLYAe0Hm/w400-h354/20200831_110629.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we read in Buckley's <i>Wild Life in Woods and Fields</i> that bee eggs are the size of a poppy seed, <br />so we had to plant some!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XkMcx9lvSFHDJsMhvWrZhj4IxBVbcwIZOsC0KjuxpaNXrrSK5FZ0Kt6j5-9Oerpn9ba92DuU_yamor5DE8QbRlfH_WIUY7Sdgngk7VNSNLevmnkb533x5tnXeW8uzxHJ9Fmfxuf34tED/s4032/20200820_151137+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XkMcx9lvSFHDJsMhvWrZhj4IxBVbcwIZOsC0KjuxpaNXrrSK5FZ0Kt6j5-9Oerpn9ba92DuU_yamor5DE8QbRlfH_WIUY7Sdgngk7VNSNLevmnkb533x5tnXeW8uzxHJ9Fmfxuf34tED/w300-h400/20200820_151137+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">he loves the <a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-artist-prints/kinderleben-artist-print-set" target="_blank">Kinderleben Collection from Riverbend Press<br /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWOYwUwAjZcY1h-zwJM9OLrLJGpJ88tzlnXb5VNRYwr6G_H4Y3Q1VABziUaBKqwLT1ThieEZCCu-FNhzCQTebMRAiPdARQCoK8ZFZx4MRwVdBQeZI_Iu_LmKenH4zPld70s8lGUhFTMRe/s4032/20200821_131532.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWOYwUwAjZcY1h-zwJM9OLrLJGpJ88tzlnXb5VNRYwr6G_H4Y3Q1VABziUaBKqwLT1ThieEZCCu-FNhzCQTebMRAiPdARQCoK8ZFZx4MRwVdBQeZI_Iu_LmKenH4zPld70s8lGUhFTMRe/w300-h400/20200821_131532.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fell asleep "reading" Redwall during his rest time<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuvDbRpJ6KnOrIQ6ggz5QCCIs8rbQf73yjPNoHIqdmSynyq-h2hGu4R3tgXpXU3adBQaVVSrKoJ4d9dxGlOZ0KWUFDMhCwncviEBI9W8uWZI36DwL8cYKyRehO-6iBXdzXHkpovX5HEoG/s4032/20200819_143206.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuvDbRpJ6KnOrIQ6ggz5QCCIs8rbQf73yjPNoHIqdmSynyq-h2hGu4R3tgXpXU3adBQaVVSrKoJ4d9dxGlOZ0KWUFDMhCwncviEBI9W8uWZI36DwL8cYKyRehO-6iBXdzXHkpovX5HEoG/w300-h400/20200819_143206.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">apples in chalk on the <a href="https://amzn.to/35R00uk">chalkboard mat</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRm61ynH6U4leXrDOA9kB38JV5lobAuSIysMMYvVgRGdrifXW9__zcotQLu-K0lvS1TkcXI2r65C59PW89vnuKVGk-qWC9x4FPjfrLvU5zntstSG19hUt1OzhUXn3RDmzer6Xlk3K7Pe5/s2895/20200813_082453.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2895" data-original-width="2610" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRm61ynH6U4leXrDOA9kB38JV5lobAuSIysMMYvVgRGdrifXW9__zcotQLu-K0lvS1TkcXI2r65C59PW89vnuKVGk-qWC9x4FPjfrLvU5zntstSG19hUt1OzhUXn3RDmzer6Xlk3K7Pe5/w360-h400/20200813_082453.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">playing with baby sister<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPGHE0nM18i62bZjm2sZMUMrhsOM_W6mB7MRSaCPD6P805forTcOqnpNcBHB_NKjxgRdCp7ToBEFGMxtTzdQ_SJpGoKTZnFbak3XNxsampK7YdUeQ3HYZHuYakC6rtTKM6l3_Pp2UF7Tj/s4032/20200813_173403.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPGHE0nM18i62bZjm2sZMUMrhsOM_W6mB7MRSaCPD6P805forTcOqnpNcBHB_NKjxgRdCp7ToBEFGMxtTzdQ_SJpGoKTZnFbak3XNxsampK7YdUeQ3HYZHuYakC6rtTKM6l3_Pp2UF7Tj/w400-h300/20200813_173403.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">braiding friendship bracelets - yarn + clipboads are perfect for this!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kslsYJ3cE7_ynQi-q-85VTDMNJ2gydt1MKfC9vira28KX6iG-p_AEsf_NEKPg4tJmn2LvR3Qo4SPvaJBngHVsOOizMPhVW25wlfYWNHQBOqKmj1awRK7wMSYYhbht5j3RgeVKnVcxR_b/s4032/20200805_140733.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kslsYJ3cE7_ynQi-q-85VTDMNJ2gydt1MKfC9vira28KX6iG-p_AEsf_NEKPg4tJmn2LvR3Qo4SPvaJBngHVsOOizMPhVW25wlfYWNHQBOqKmj1awRK7wMSYYhbht5j3RgeVKnVcxR_b/w400-h300/20200805_140733.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more chalk patterning</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kslsYJ3cE7_ynQi-q-85VTDMNJ2gydt1MKfC9vira28KX6iG-p_AEsf_NEKPg4tJmn2LvR3Qo4SPvaJBngHVsOOizMPhVW25wlfYWNHQBOqKmj1awRK7wMSYYhbht5j3RgeVKnVcxR_b/s4032/20200805_140733.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div><br /></div><div>If he joins us for regular lessons, he brings his own little table over to our work area since we are already tight as it is. Then he has his own space for the next hour.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5Y6BDSxQUD1ZX4FnEbQVe-Z2n7oXcE-bdaAPIqBRuTDKZ_Fhq7UqPUV-7kxmKvVXhGPdd4OiMgeAqTSVAqRXciEZSROJkiieZzHt7tZ8W0MfZjmfqUW6-g8YzvI8nQ8GE49yVRQqZoM1/s4032/20201027_133655.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5Y6BDSxQUD1ZX4FnEbQVe-Z2n7oXcE-bdaAPIqBRuTDKZ_Fhq7UqPUV-7kxmKvVXhGPdd4OiMgeAqTSVAqRXciEZSROJkiieZzHt7tZ8W0MfZjmfqUW6-g8YzvI8nQ8GE49yVRQqZoM1/w300-h400/20201027_133655.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqof9EqbC2fe-LBTzKGeVXdyKabLkVTd6LeLqQeEfrUkdXGiriuozY4dfNFeueQXulikmgBCNX2Qd4IwwEpj9H579P1XlsCVQVY5bjUT3khs02ytIFbMiWxxM5rTnm9iouSpcIs3QNZ2k/s2867/20201027_134600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2651" data-original-width="2867" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqof9EqbC2fe-LBTzKGeVXdyKabLkVTd6LeLqQeEfrUkdXGiriuozY4dfNFeueQXulikmgBCNX2Qd4IwwEpj9H579P1XlsCVQVY5bjUT3khs02ytIFbMiWxxM5rTnm9iouSpcIs3QNZ2k/w400-h370/20201027_134600.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A new addition for him this term is clay -- so fun!<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIF3SJyfTm6ajWtgHH5GdV9WQUmYhBwhqpxEGNBRsm8lOuDINzoCILxOGbFZ2CGgavqtpzfw-wRj8uR7Wh1-eFQm9rjZla7farmEzGm2-J1mho87f6q6GKur_Mg4SioKE_Lj9mXHiqdG1/s4032/20201026_130307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIF3SJyfTm6ajWtgHH5GdV9WQUmYhBwhqpxEGNBRsm8lOuDINzoCILxOGbFZ2CGgavqtpzfw-wRj8uR7Wh1-eFQm9rjZla7farmEzGm2-J1mho87f6q6GKur_Mg4SioKE_Lj9mXHiqdG1/w400-h300/20201026_130307.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>And I can't leave out Damien, my other Kinderleben kid! He is only three but thinks he is thirteen. As soon as he wakes up from nap, he zooms over to join in with whatever we are doing. High energy, best of intentions...sometimes a bit too much for all of us. But very much loved! What would we do without his spark in our home?<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eemHZJyP5ouqdNIA019mAPrxNyf1r58DpdKqcEAPbVvKAEX0Ek57rOYFbdYpKD8qYpkbrw0WH0JmSZjuh391D8NUgEUVcfCG_OJWWw51WitjYIWvyBtPn4DHMxkLHMjH4Pt69LVeT0v2/s4032/20200721_152522.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eemHZJyP5ouqdNIA019mAPrxNyf1r58DpdKqcEAPbVvKAEX0Ek57rOYFbdYpKD8qYpkbrw0WH0JmSZjuh391D8NUgEUVcfCG_OJWWw51WitjYIWvyBtPn4DHMxkLHMjH4Pt69LVeT0v2/w300-h400/20200721_152522.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a rare quiet moment<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHHx8LszcFKh3DLdG80ffpw6RC2bQ3evHNRlHAOtcAEY2Z-Md-qUKbgMYJIeYNBJ9aVJJMqJyuAoIeR0iA6KspB07tfdsilimXhedkvppZP0YyxwMA-z_LI0IVOpNsrAlLemVi5KZBYCW/s4032/20201005_122330%25280%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHHx8LszcFKh3DLdG80ffpw6RC2bQ3evHNRlHAOtcAEY2Z-Md-qUKbgMYJIeYNBJ9aVJJMqJyuAoIeR0iA6KspB07tfdsilimXhedkvppZP0YyxwMA-z_LI0IVOpNsrAlLemVi5KZBYCW/w300-h400/20201005_122330%25280%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">he loves the magic mat too<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>When I can harness all that good energy into chores, it's a good day! :)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhKgg6OHr572KIjrNw63CIeG7rvirZCaqrEgCwsli_405QNcBGRwrjYruSjfdrltjfxxAxbT3NfyT0FrzDoCM7jliAkfumeoBYoGChI5jSKL16ECg6usLdv85Mk8GlGo-NCna93A8wVSE/s4032/20201001_083052.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhKgg6OHr572KIjrNw63CIeG7rvirZCaqrEgCwsli_405QNcBGRwrjYruSjfdrltjfxxAxbT3NfyT0FrzDoCM7jliAkfumeoBYoGChI5jSKL16ECg6usLdv85Mk8GlGo-NCna93A8wVSE/s320/20201001_083052.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HUtJvFxL4o_c86Cx4riKgWoD2bqRTEDLdrglAX8vWgDnrJwWw12-R58G7KR5QF3i12F0OFj-f6UfVxCkZIDMKc722SRrxEgs_uNMLHwPDJ99OLbt7YTVSumtW0Rw_bXYIweGPk-oLxFd/s3485/20201001_083057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3485" data-original-width="2578" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HUtJvFxL4o_c86Cx4riKgWoD2bqRTEDLdrglAX8vWgDnrJwWw12-R58G7KR5QF3i12F0OFj-f6UfVxCkZIDMKc722SRrxEgs_uNMLHwPDJ99OLbt7YTVSumtW0Rw_bXYIweGPk-oLxFd/s320/20201001_083057.jpg" /></a></div><p></p></div><p>My "little boys" are really growing up!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5tX7XTzUulDtx7Fy3wDPwCV7GI2hwfFhJWUZepTGs42m2C8o5PshMgLHAkCydI8bCZCnhvcj69PKZyTPAMdwCdTqsuwCNTBn4gOYKtIMjcJ0dHaRhwHC3NmMZzEBJKiWrMUDvrVjtqx_/s2048/20170711_184308.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1566" data-original-width="2048" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5tX7XTzUulDtx7Fy3wDPwCV7GI2hwfFhJWUZepTGs42m2C8o5PshMgLHAkCydI8bCZCnhvcj69PKZyTPAMdwCdTqsuwCNTBn4gOYKtIMjcJ0dHaRhwHC3NmMZzEBJKiWrMUDvrVjtqx_/w400-h306/20170711_184308.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBuBsXPx23hX4Fk7NYBcKjmAteppyKojl4NgqQmoiWOfd2Pqz3ZWXIXPl-wEXneVpkx9RO8cuW3aR9hKYCtc55UoY2Iy6QAtunlUMlGMMF5EC94cpvMGN0QOsMwXHpPvgaf5qwNu_3tWc/s4032/20201022_122712.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBuBsXPx23hX4Fk7NYBcKjmAteppyKojl4NgqQmoiWOfd2Pqz3ZWXIXPl-wEXneVpkx9RO8cuW3aR9hKYCtc55UoY2Iy6QAtunlUMlGMMF5EC94cpvMGN0QOsMwXHpPvgaf5qwNu_3tWc/w400-h300/20201022_122712.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/search/label/Kindergarten" target="_blank">More on Kindergarten through the years in our home</a>.</p></div></div>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-39325165038347988332020-10-25T13:25:00.003-07:002020-10-25T13:25:50.154-07:00{This and That} :: On to Term 2<p>Like I mentioned the other day, we just finished up our Term 1 exams and are about to jump into Term 2 on Monday. I decided not to take a break between terms for a few reasons: I was just out of town earlier this month (more on that below), which required a couple days off for the kids, and we have a break coming up at Thanksgiving anyway. I also didn't have TOO much planning to do for the new term, so I was able to get it done during exam week. I am looking forward to a few fresh books and so are my kids!</p><p>Before that, though, I thought I'd round up some odds and ends from the past term...</p><p>~~~</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAICvot37AkFpv3ixY7z-6k_mSRefplrlWNv4VlnvzPg7gJ4Djl1snDQ63flMe7GYBVyETq-_WxVt0se6qAlQr7W01ZDKB8lnCPOucwaVLB5yac6XdZtdJi2B_kkIBNZSWG9W8anTZfUj/s3228/IMG_20201019_082551_464.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3228" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAICvot37AkFpv3ixY7z-6k_mSRefplrlWNv4VlnvzPg7gJ4Djl1snDQ63flMe7GYBVyETq-_WxVt0se6qAlQr7W01ZDKB8lnCPOucwaVLB5yac6XdZtdJi2B_kkIBNZSWG9W8anTZfUj/w400-h375/IMG_20201019_082551_464.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Exam week was a success! I had a to-do list a mile long, but somehow I was able to get the most important parts of it done around our exam work. All of the kids were excited about exams (they love the novelty), but the little boys were the most excited of all. Each morning they did a count-down until our start time (9am sharp!), then begged me for the next couple hours to give them "exam questions." I took the opportunity to "assign" them time with all of our Kinderleben supplies and they were so pleased. Go figure! I am hoping this jump start with the materials they don't usually grab from their Kinderleben shelves will set them up well for the weeks to come.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJf1m7zEkDmtg1EBRa8jQgXNvFHDZ2JEOuyfASZ6fdSVAfaZ4XlTmZUFVovaA9AygzhfPQM06DUxH7_Iq9DH7uOfkGi5jorpU3yoj5tOxovqqY__EAm2CPJqEieq5xqwb-frwKuorf6KpH/s2466/IMG_20201020_090700_919.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2466" data-original-width="2466" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJf1m7zEkDmtg1EBRa8jQgXNvFHDZ2JEOuyfASZ6fdSVAfaZ4XlTmZUFVovaA9AygzhfPQM06DUxH7_Iq9DH7uOfkGi5jorpU3yoj5tOxovqqY__EAm2CPJqEieq5xqwb-frwKuorf6KpH/w400-h400/IMG_20201020_090700_919.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXFdoiScXrWXqXzvexEzJE51BwGuR5jViDF0Rmlri-tH7MbsCxutH-eH1w-t9RiPo1HhmtcU1YQ2GGjijsAju8Qll03pKKRNalfs4d_fO58f23xdWeJ8JYqnMMm93Xsr8h-O4T17AXdoQ/s4032/20201021_113338+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXFdoiScXrWXqXzvexEzJE51BwGuR5jViDF0Rmlri-tH7MbsCxutH-eH1w-t9RiPo1HhmtcU1YQ2GGjijsAju8Qll03pKKRNalfs4d_fO58f23xdWeJ8JYqnMMm93Xsr8h-O4T17AXdoQ/s320/20201021_113338+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eqJyvyB11EK2Hb2IoDr2CbUmgOpksys12d_DBni3B9FZjGM-700_a7gM4oLvWIaKojPpO9Ynr1ODvaUzgtGQ8LLaTo0IDIEb0_nmBuUh0pF5xlrHrmxzgr4aGOByglugTvpOcbqPodhD/s3686/20201020_102649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3686" data-original-width="2345" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eqJyvyB11EK2Hb2IoDr2CbUmgOpksys12d_DBni3B9FZjGM-700_a7gM4oLvWIaKojPpO9Ynr1ODvaUzgtGQ8LLaTo0IDIEb0_nmBuUh0pF5xlrHrmxzgr4aGOByglugTvpOcbqPodhD/s320/20201020_102649.jpg" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>We had a simple celebration to mark the end of the term, as we usually do...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yVVj74S_ov9Eyaq7pktKPkAalkFNIM3ssfJK0_Ku8R6mQozWfLP5lBmipvCAe0WgtyI7NroPnf8eZ82NjtxtaM-vykV7t7lEx3L-k0k0VLpsYfP58tP8tDi8Uwr6jFFsw7Ejd1lpjRo5/s3527/20201022_160619.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2906" data-original-width="3527" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yVVj74S_ov9Eyaq7pktKPkAalkFNIM3ssfJK0_Ku8R6mQozWfLP5lBmipvCAe0WgtyI7NroPnf8eZ82NjtxtaM-vykV7t7lEx3L-k0k0VLpsYfP58tP8tDi8Uwr6jFFsw7Ejd1lpjRo5/w400-h330/20201022_160619.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QshzYyyMjMKLR9su30pLsY-sFM9BBdO0OsExAGhnz2RDCjeEqMtrXxH8Ppxt1CtsPYLHsUiikUNh7x3aBmE2fDzsUuzqPU0PeriY2KcUhiIv1MUJsikYt3xP7O4-D8u7233d2a7VDQs8/s4032/20201022_152726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QshzYyyMjMKLR9su30pLsY-sFM9BBdO0OsExAGhnz2RDCjeEqMtrXxH8Ppxt1CtsPYLHsUiikUNh7x3aBmE2fDzsUuzqPU0PeriY2KcUhiIv1MUJsikYt3xP7O4-D8u7233d2a7VDQs8/w400-h300/20201022_152726.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZyC7J4BrE6RAz-e9_x2IkN4mK_6rvBEni7o1weymxRJDSHzkPeoPuV9UW8U8PJqELS2QIjOfl9Mhias5dzSUWD84-iYLVC34NPU4kwUe1TE-RZYIkOV4CNB_gNikg0Hv-jiadGk9eZuv/s4032/20201022_152730.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZyC7J4BrE6RAz-e9_x2IkN4mK_6rvBEni7o1weymxRJDSHzkPeoPuV9UW8U8PJqELS2QIjOfl9Mhias5dzSUWD84-iYLVC34NPU4kwUe1TE-RZYIkOV4CNB_gNikg0Hv-jiadGk9eZuv/w400-h300/20201022_152730.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaggEsptWo60OAgPsJ85_haU3O2uSOjzRxbWN6pHeNnIFko10MRFNNJI0WOPXqztY3WRDfjh7pIyegsQgNB5OlZNANSZI5jSPIP53bTBpmybs4YmArmPwDSejNpoCB-csx8HlvBgi7Fln/s4032/20201022_154158.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaggEsptWo60OAgPsJ85_haU3O2uSOjzRxbWN6pHeNnIFko10MRFNNJI0WOPXqztY3WRDfjh7pIyegsQgNB5OlZNANSZI5jSPIP53bTBpmybs4YmArmPwDSejNpoCB-csx8HlvBgi7Fln/w300-h400/20201022_154158.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQ4gZ3gn8TEUjtbMg0v_n_KzEdzWalHhUyX-BQoiyTlNd0789MZZ5NJRg5vtDGVapsaHXXl70AkiTlsMgHhWoM5_J8T4breIhD3v_WyWEbjGU-FfS3UsBW_MYgtMHUTlvbUjIM_wkgbnl/s4032/20201022_153050.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQ4gZ3gn8TEUjtbMg0v_n_KzEdzWalHhUyX-BQoiyTlNd0789MZZ5NJRg5vtDGVapsaHXXl70AkiTlsMgHhWoM5_J8T4breIhD3v_WyWEbjGU-FfS3UsBW_MYgtMHUTlvbUjIM_wkgbnl/w400-h300/20201022_153050.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRccOovzUlRuLRsMyWTC-BrwKLlg_7n6UcAVli-KauJgQfWkq4lyYvWk8w-BttLIFZw4_oL6EnlxSxtLfht8oLQsV-U9Ai3TQq6xaqvBy4T5vO9vduPHypRg0H1aZKX7JUb8AiAbpMZYA/s4032/20201022_152717.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRccOovzUlRuLRsMyWTC-BrwKLlg_7n6UcAVli-KauJgQfWkq4lyYvWk8w-BttLIFZw4_oL6EnlxSxtLfht8oLQsV-U9Ai3TQq6xaqvBy4T5vO9vduPHypRg0H1aZKX7JUb8AiAbpMZYA/w400-h300/20201022_152717.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3-iIet-aBCrYpd2MbGzyO-ASgWxjyX57W5EUvGqmNXUUi5qaowWx90gTRoQQEh3xzdro29F-SJUzKrmvRMgw0dpCzKv44cGtsXywMoO60uUSabxzPddYyMnfHa-yoN_HrF8Fj_s38vBk/s4032/20201023_122637.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3-iIet-aBCrYpd2MbGzyO-ASgWxjyX57W5EUvGqmNXUUi5qaowWx90gTRoQQEh3xzdro29F-SJUzKrmvRMgw0dpCzKv44cGtsXywMoO60uUSabxzPddYyMnfHa-yoN_HrF8Fj_s38vBk/w400-h300/20201023_122637.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjYcNcQM1o5p2hnD1HkNDA64Y-MxYp0__BulAq9gP6dM_Jg14Q48F59a0YpLzxNEPFEXZD7hk7a7qaZKzygTMF7WARKqdAQ5c-IVad5pWjzC2YrYEp4l-g1FFhMovvu_4z7nQrA3ApRF0/s3008/20201023_122642.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2085" data-original-width="3008" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjYcNcQM1o5p2hnD1HkNDA64Y-MxYp0__BulAq9gP6dM_Jg14Q48F59a0YpLzxNEPFEXZD7hk7a7qaZKzygTMF7WARKqdAQ5c-IVad5pWjzC2YrYEp4l-g1FFhMovvu_4z7nQrA3ApRF0/w400-h278/20201023_122642.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We also celebrated with some gifts for the new terms: supplies for our art and handicraft lessons for Term 2, some story cards we will use for Italian lessons, mini-clipboards for my very avid frienship bracelet makers, and refills for lots of supplies we use on a regular basis.<br /><p>The Form 2 kids also made a seed display to cap off one of our special study topics for this term.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlin7umhRb_MU-6ZfF2NeVCCE2oNEb43hhypS0uqT38x-5aP1pvbDozyy_gFYEIp0v__JtvU-Bb3cNXbqDF2owo5yga4Ca6h6gMFsRgKVbz41Ln3uOm27GF-rQ7hRPcvOsOAi6L3UuTffD/s4032/20201023_122717.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlin7umhRb_MU-6ZfF2NeVCCE2oNEb43hhypS0uqT38x-5aP1pvbDozyy_gFYEIp0v__JtvU-Bb3cNXbqDF2owo5yga4Ca6h6gMFsRgKVbz41Ln3uOm27GF-rQ7hRPcvOsOAi6L3UuTffD/w400-h300/20201023_122717.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I sat down Thursday night to read through all of the exams and make my term entries in my Mother's Journals for each student. I like to buy myself a treat like special chocolate for the occasion! And I also do my filing and clean out my own planning folders and such at that time. It is always nice to start fresh for a new term rather than leaving all that to the end of the year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YHIpSD0tsoDRwx8_VK49-BxH_nroRV96ynMUTo5M4bfVKVIGTF-Qk2W0xM8y61aXIDnhqOITfIS8ibIu8CEhd9hn7v1yzawXVhyLG7aACtBOtuH1HrBWJd-QYGNj6k18JFqiOiREEXgm/s4032/20201022_191015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2882" data-original-width="4032" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YHIpSD0tsoDRwx8_VK49-BxH_nroRV96ynMUTo5M4bfVKVIGTF-Qk2W0xM8y61aXIDnhqOITfIS8ibIu8CEhd9hn7v1yzawXVhyLG7aACtBOtuH1HrBWJd-QYGNj6k18JFqiOiREEXgm/w400-h286/20201022_191015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>~~~ </p><p>A couple weeks ago I was in Philly for a long weekend for <a href="https://www.thecmec.org/">the CMEC Fall Mini-Retreat</a>. It was focused on art instruction, with immersions in brush drawing, clay modeling, and chalk drawing led by the wonderful art teacher at The Mason Academy. My friend Erin opened with a beautiful meditation on personhood as it relates to art and the students she has worked with, and I discussed practical tips for implementing art lessons in the homeschool.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pfgKIkXxaH0M6bkec8QQDKaS6QJMbwhQvMBWp81M94g1-65yT_zAYPPXbVNr01GOAK5Tic90DeIwYK6zrSwaSEHCOCcqQwcFBZxLRZ2gMTzzIT17YJbJVvYyQJco2XhpEstS0OXtdkq3/s4032/20201010_144225.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pfgKIkXxaH0M6bkec8QQDKaS6QJMbwhQvMBWp81M94g1-65yT_zAYPPXbVNr01GOAK5Tic90DeIwYK6zrSwaSEHCOCcqQwcFBZxLRZ2gMTzzIT17YJbJVvYyQJco2XhpEstS0OXtdkq3/w400-h300/20201010_144225.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWigyKksY_N1LBgauWu0xKiqlWLypOJqHv4fxTgt0unBchfmqM3Tj5h3s6ITHogWBEPdr3bEiTKRU1hSXi48i2BqkxS07xpb_sB2xozbsliwxG8lM6q9ohKcNgoifrmKFlLADBKmNWcepW/s4032/20201010_135529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWigyKksY_N1LBgauWu0xKiqlWLypOJqHv4fxTgt0unBchfmqM3Tj5h3s6ITHogWBEPdr3bEiTKRU1hSXi48i2BqkxS07xpb_sB2xozbsliwxG8lM6q9ohKcNgoifrmKFlLADBKmNWcepW/w400-h300/20201010_135529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jtX39GbcpLmnwU-NKjJSK7w1-JY7g33ZyU6i_jyML585d268-0OdfpzFOzFKiHBxGDVkGCYK07CwjRGzDqC39yE5s2oadb0Urs9w2L67FxnaV1tz-C-7rOCzMZKZDYlYER3tYey-sRZz/s4032/20201010_115259.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jtX39GbcpLmnwU-NKjJSK7w1-JY7g33ZyU6i_jyML585d268-0OdfpzFOzFKiHBxGDVkGCYK07CwjRGzDqC39yE5s2oadb0Urs9w2L67FxnaV1tz-C-7rOCzMZKZDYlYER3tYey-sRZz/w400-h300/20201010_115259.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyN7XWR84koFMKsN2pbB4QbQYRlmA0AdGdqtUu4r3Ahhqn5p_P-bCvvtw7ihT9JBcodb5IRY1lGtUp-sBcjNyL5To4LqpR9rT6xx49xYnHi3Pt2e5kMo9IIpX3pNisNoO1qCY-7-_l-R0Q/s4032/20201010_142541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyN7XWR84koFMKsN2pbB4QbQYRlmA0AdGdqtUu4r3Ahhqn5p_P-bCvvtw7ihT9JBcodb5IRY1lGtUp-sBcjNyL5To4LqpR9rT6xx49xYnHi3Pt2e5kMo9IIpX3pNisNoO1qCY-7-_l-R0Q/w300-h400/20201010_142541.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>Although we could not hold the event itself in person, we did broadcast it live for members and were able to meet for various informal gatherings outdoors before and after the event. We also took a group trip to the art museum -- my favorite!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfE6m64SKL0Yvj4NwyEFjDzaZ8IwoUWjN2eTpY1L99bD1zNImN92JW-BlaNRTEP8teFPTJ-gYJySYnI_nhKHI7QMQQUQdEtizMl1Z7Yzu0RRMqzc_mtKG8RwQPod3wgt8ADLuKnlxE6bs/s4032/20201008_150814.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfE6m64SKL0Yvj4NwyEFjDzaZ8IwoUWjN2eTpY1L99bD1zNImN92JW-BlaNRTEP8teFPTJ-gYJySYnI_nhKHI7QMQQUQdEtizMl1Z7Yzu0RRMqzc_mtKG8RwQPod3wgt8ADLuKnlxE6bs/w400-h300/20201008_150814.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithKZykl4ZMTTLCCCRnXxHtojJBurwveNtkZF2Q1xWtGkabVs6KyOhQOcKNjQyeIQ-iDfHRU5H1lS-CjQcBByaK5kVT_BYhr7DgsCHb5TIVPJLtW8F6_MvNMgadkwDkhiqVsh3ujQdnOUZ/s4032/20201008_151034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithKZykl4ZMTTLCCCRnXxHtojJBurwveNtkZF2Q1xWtGkabVs6KyOhQOcKNjQyeIQ-iDfHRU5H1lS-CjQcBByaK5kVT_BYhr7DgsCHb5TIVPJLtW8F6_MvNMgadkwDkhiqVsh3ujQdnOUZ/w400-h300/20201008_151034.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>It was so wonderful to see my dear friends there. It had been a year since I had been able to meet in person with the other members of <a href="https://www.thecmec.org/">the CMEC team</a>! We got lots done and had so many good conversations too. It was a blessing to be together and refreshed me for the rest of this year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuc5GqC9Mx_rIQzcoymUIPExCg1HndAq6S8i0Y-5EtuKiS9I-Eh-e5DO9b4oDal5IH-4_Up5Te3Oq-HU2zzVCePDG53SNuyVtErHsE-YCwNmU5-iSq2fE5MU72PRM1fBxeV-lzkjP6GYP/s4032/IMG_2581.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuc5GqC9Mx_rIQzcoymUIPExCg1HndAq6S8i0Y-5EtuKiS9I-Eh-e5DO9b4oDal5IH-4_Up5Te3Oq-HU2zzVCePDG53SNuyVtErHsE-YCwNmU5-iSq2fE5MU72PRM1fBxeV-lzkjP6GYP/w400-h300/IMG_2581.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>~~~</p><p>My Form 2A students received their own <a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-notebooks/book-of-centuries">Books of Centuries</a> this year. They were so excited to join the older kids in this practice! The Book of Centuries is one of our rites of passage.</p><p>They both knew exactly what they were going to draw for their first entry...</p><p>Cate did the emblem from the War of the Roses chapter in <a href="https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-books/history-of-england">Arnold-Forster's <i>A History of England</i></a>, which was my first entry in my Book of Centuries too several years ago!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLpsFiNCBjCJl2d22zenFkva-EYByja2FfgC3jxSRtpq0sTDZ_ylaMlc2kgnqf0VaoJgj5m6JE-XR3cyP8eMBs3wEkFPnjTlK8pwgfEbSrqEI2LruJBUPBrwM0FQIsBlFc_FESCstI0cQ/s4032/20200821_151547.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLpsFiNCBjCJl2d22zenFkva-EYByja2FfgC3jxSRtpq0sTDZ_ylaMlc2kgnqf0VaoJgj5m6JE-XR3cyP8eMBs3wEkFPnjTlK8pwgfEbSrqEI2LruJBUPBrwM0FQIsBlFc_FESCstI0cQ/w400-h300/20200821_151547.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>She then moved in quick succession to Columbus' ships, which was Xavier's first choice...<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiki9G3fWc4DyvxawokW-m_SjXK7m7HOfSqWFfeWmi8M1Ut9b4OHD1Xfbmele1C0V5Ih7Csf3wZLarSwAHfsSACKseTFgwPq8VmdjdD_3wiHRO2l4n6QROG4mdEWym_3lDKQgvoZ26rKNMI/s2959/20200821_151503.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2840" data-original-width="2959" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiki9G3fWc4DyvxawokW-m_SjXK7m7HOfSqWFfeWmi8M1Ut9b4OHD1Xfbmele1C0V5Ih7Csf3wZLarSwAHfsSACKseTFgwPq8VmdjdD_3wiHRO2l4n6QROG4mdEWym_3lDKQgvoZ26rKNMI/w400-h384/20200821_151503.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At the end of the year, I'll have to share more from their notebooks this year. They have done such good work and I'm always amazed by the variety in the output of two students learning together. Their notebooks reflect so clearly who they are. (I talked all about that on<a href="https://homeschooling.mom/the-charlotte-mason-show/cm-2-episode-11-the-power-of-notebooking-to-transform-students-learning-with-guest-celeste-mason"> The Charlotte Mason show podcast</a> a few months ago. :))<br /><p>~~~</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And I have to cap off every <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/search/label/This%20and%20That">{This and That}</a> post with an update on sweet Emilia! She is on the go and never sits still for long. So busy. So loud! So precious. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kiCK_Gth9R-baDZ5wPa4nRqJ7aRFUYKx7XfpfRjIoMKGFJgFCvwnmBDJ9VyRKLEpoV4IyQfJHCvnDg0OH6_preFAFjqUXxkI0MNfS3C4UnluVvNgwYYNdstqg85SMG0ynLs3AUTEeMzv/s3277/20200923_083831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3277" data-original-width="2426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kiCK_Gth9R-baDZ5wPa4nRqJ7aRFUYKx7XfpfRjIoMKGFJgFCvwnmBDJ9VyRKLEpoV4IyQfJHCvnDg0OH6_preFAFjqUXxkI0MNfS3C4UnluVvNgwYYNdstqg85SMG0ynLs3AUTEeMzv/s320/20200923_083831.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VNJ4ogAdZ1BYz_HTS5jGQ17S4Hr9684usom2FTFX1GJXVvAYvtL3DsDCEOywiaR_pxr3u8_Zg8gEM4hiQjS8JOZZn_Yh-Sc_UUBHEjXe6Jn-ZtZot_fP161uFyNwYf39RE2n8ytoHxAI/s3910/20201002_160238.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3910" data-original-width="2256" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VNJ4ogAdZ1BYz_HTS5jGQ17S4Hr9684usom2FTFX1GJXVvAYvtL3DsDCEOywiaR_pxr3u8_Zg8gEM4hiQjS8JOZZn_Yh-Sc_UUBHEjXe6Jn-ZtZot_fP161uFyNwYf39RE2n8ytoHxAI/s320/20201002_160238.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyLC07LXRrKhOS-TizgTBB9RpDx4Eug_WPkVmvaHL3Q9Krb7x4N-pAn6uZCaHT7Ug7F4vXME18lDxRBZex3gZrqqwryLvgDWw6qaDXM5wiDxFJpm-zvxLphYArz_w0zjZoN9NmxODJV71/s3164/20201018_171030.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3164" data-original-width="2072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyLC07LXRrKhOS-TizgTBB9RpDx4Eug_WPkVmvaHL3Q9Krb7x4N-pAn6uZCaHT7Ug7F4vXME18lDxRBZex3gZrqqwryLvgDWw6qaDXM5wiDxFJpm-zvxLphYArz_w0zjZoN9NmxODJV71/s320/20201018_171030.jpg" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have a little video of her walking <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGnRy4shFEc/">over on Instagram</a>. She beat the Cruz Family record by a couple weeks when she started walking at eight months. I have had several nine-month-old walkers but never quite as early as her! She is a determined little lady and loves attention from her siblings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of Instagram, I posted the other day about <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGsJ0BsBgjf/">setting up my logbook for Term 2</a> and got lots of requests for more details, so I am pulling together a simple blog post on my organizational approach for my plans and notes this year. I'd also like to share more about our timetables!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And I have posts in the works for <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/search/label/Getting%20Started%20with%20Handicrafts">my handicrafts series</a>: knot tying, needle felting, and beginning sewing with felt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hope to be back next week to chat on one or another of these topics.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until then, are you just about finished with Term 1? Do you take breaks between terms? </div>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-21164776588650593642020-10-21T21:19:00.002-07:002020-10-22T08:53:06.540-07:00A Feast :: Looking Back on Term 1<p>It's Exam Week! We just finished our first term -- and it really did fly by. That doesn't mean it was all smooth sailing, though. Emilia is still a sporadic napper and also started walking a few weeks ago, so much of my term was spent troubleshooting her routine and keeping her happily occupied. We had small hurdles here and there among the school-aged kids as well. But I consider all of that just part of life in a large homeschooling family! Looking back, we have encountered such a feast this term, and although sometimes managing seven formal students and dozens of subjects per Form can be a challenge, I would not have it any other way. I feel more each day how "the whole hangs together" in the Mason program, and I'm so glad to be learning alongside my kids!</p><p>With that in mind, I thought I would collect here some happy moments in the homeschool from the past weeks...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsptMVCoCrPb2sfjCHbwJaikEmAYUCkiRl8nQxNLdQNYhyphenhyphenoLt7ygyJrjmxMYMg01HYP2I3fCjnOUny9aBYPXdKSbHmNabkjQBVQyRQrle_d7VqOh01UerXXF0xxkfYcS-uWWNHRIv0YK4p/s4032/20200915_115415.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsptMVCoCrPb2sfjCHbwJaikEmAYUCkiRl8nQxNLdQNYhyphenhyphenoLt7ygyJrjmxMYMg01HYP2I3fCjnOUny9aBYPXdKSbHmNabkjQBVQyRQrle_d7VqOh01UerXXF0xxkfYcS-uWWNHRIv0YK4p/w400-h300/20200915_115415.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">family century charts</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eH9wSe4s5eEakLJFYdRmTfQcx2aSlw-yeYcrr_UY7_C6tQzhSZOGOMJYtpDETiMufAKmtA4-nPrYWvISyyn6jZslaH_cWtBxYt_bgMLN3nUcMQGrvGQU2k_gj2dUZdpGCakInc2hlSIv/s4032/20200914_142940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eH9wSe4s5eEakLJFYdRmTfQcx2aSlw-yeYcrr_UY7_C6tQzhSZOGOMJYtpDETiMufAKmtA4-nPrYWvISyyn6jZslaH_cWtBxYt_bgMLN3nUcMQGrvGQU2k_gj2dUZdpGCakInc2hlSIv/w400-h300/20200914_142940.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our little Constable tableau</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eH9wSe4s5eEakLJFYdRmTfQcx2aSlw-yeYcrr_UY7_C6tQzhSZOGOMJYtpDETiMufAKmtA4-nPrYWvISyyn6jZslaH_cWtBxYt_bgMLN3nUcMQGrvGQU2k_gj2dUZdpGCakInc2hlSIv/s4032/20200914_142940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68a88Ud7PfIMrijQ1PVI7BXZTWklyklLJJBeBJ4HtprjLRbwtRAcLQzJi4jQsmC4eMoCisAc_W6fJ9-s8TM9ren3LjIr8TYwMuJck33TedTclj1-UttnKP4_Fc7r1YJnAkbGpeOFl7Pgd/s4032/20200914_124050.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68a88Ud7PfIMrijQ1PVI7BXZTWklyklLJJBeBJ4HtprjLRbwtRAcLQzJi4jQsmC4eMoCisAc_W6fJ9-s8TM9ren3LjIr8TYwMuJck33TedTclj1-UttnKP4_Fc7r1YJnAkbGpeOFl7Pgd/w400-h300/20200914_124050.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Form 1 history</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACD7YHM1oHyhpOXn7eCTvMBXttXh6ii64GtKjk0Wev5335DyjvVy5K4i-DNS-vWC_Ita_RKRiUB5nagTTi955oltyUZkIQ5IOzjgxwVXS7mAp1Lv7WTw1erSruxvE47YHF6NVY5fWBeCX/s4032/20200914_101038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACD7YHM1oHyhpOXn7eCTvMBXttXh6ii64GtKjk0Wev5335DyjvVy5K4i-DNS-vWC_Ita_RKRiUB5nagTTi955oltyUZkIQ5IOzjgxwVXS7mAp1Lv7WTw1erSruxvE47YHF6NVY5fWBeCX/w400-h300/20200914_101038.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Form 2 geography + sand tray</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACD7YHM1oHyhpOXn7eCTvMBXttXh6ii64GtKjk0Wev5335DyjvVy5K4i-DNS-vWC_Ita_RKRiUB5nagTTi955oltyUZkIQ5IOzjgxwVXS7mAp1Lv7WTw1erSruxvE47YHF6NVY5fWBeCX/s4032/20200914_101038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaBSbnVq7GktqozqQrd6eYGCx-l9BKhXsOOFJ0yr-tAsgYWv9LsqDbUBqGJkpmcSY6XRPni8FlcMyX2xxZyK8hmRkF12cgHNGE4N6H2eJ-y8qMqw3_Soq6bhZfloAbFH33eQq7HTNn3XC/s4032/20200914_131623.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaBSbnVq7GktqozqQrd6eYGCx-l9BKhXsOOFJ0yr-tAsgYWv9LsqDbUBqGJkpmcSY6XRPni8FlcMyX2xxZyK8hmRkF12cgHNGE4N6H2eJ-y8qMqw3_Soq6bhZfloAbFH33eQq7HTNn3XC/w300-h400/20200914_131623.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bible + copywork</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ckheDoRrXBOEASgcW6-0dAXELsjRR_ifyxPqpxB8al6fhlZ6FnNqUOFtkyn9DAfD4OyhsdMA0T0VG8peDxRQmNUdiqiIkKorHl7QnVXTOv8ThI1oqm10Oh7Bz8v8t1uSd1IJp6RoJpTi/s2592/20200910_085203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><br /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUy52Plj_uSs5iq80MYJX3WlmvaNi9XZ5hWFuts6pZlXA8GJsvw2zU3Ph3-qyZRlWJc1qv-QTVGYJj2tlmj9VOlB4r-F2ETZFoT25iJZDqfM-8D3qpzcsmstfoRbJcDVRVKLoRDSqjwLyy/s4032/20200907_155516.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUy52Plj_uSs5iq80MYJX3WlmvaNi9XZ5hWFuts6pZlXA8GJsvw2zU3Ph3-qyZRlWJc1qv-QTVGYJj2tlmj9VOlB4r-F2ETZFoT25iJZDqfM-8D3qpzcsmstfoRbJcDVRVKLoRDSqjwLyy/w300-h400/20200907_155516.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">needle felting (more on this soon!)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwlz1-MyvV0BI7Uxqmm9An3gefbSYAN_bYoBOWCd4c-JKUzxssq-0i0yPRJSob8AoLHkAX0uNHYjdhqiyAEO5UhdMkJCVyfGoF35Dl4bZKQDw5yQ_K6YdbifAXLh04K36IVVXq_dfzxv0/s3301/20200906_153628.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><br /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8z96zBccbItfT_2IUgOwZ-cDX9zdT_gcgTs9mDAm7ns2h_EuKRwlJZtuBLbbnK2PVgP2yLMPIGGgjrJ2IUm-PSXoqndWKtZcjP4KT5HHhcE3fSdeSLWAWod5saz25TsnDFzXKIKNpJJh/s3858/20200903_102521.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2826" data-original-width="3858" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8z96zBccbItfT_2IUgOwZ-cDX9zdT_gcgTs9mDAm7ns2h_EuKRwlJZtuBLbbnK2PVgP2yLMPIGGgjrJ2IUm-PSXoqndWKtZcjP4KT5HHhcE3fSdeSLWAWod5saz25TsnDFzXKIKNpJJh/w400-h293/20200903_102521.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dictation for two Form 2 kids: one uses the book and one the tablet!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1c0zgi2UKZhKtlFJQJOwkXQ_2XMbgHNTV9AWLhkOhjnnpN02lcaJO2ZIbXDyGrCjlWn9nEzJziCD5YmknTY3RrFSV11sthkG9-ez8cBrsVjo52rzPISakJVIS7JDGvQgJAoscgK4LW7A/s4032/20200903_155129+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1c0zgi2UKZhKtlFJQJOwkXQ_2XMbgHNTV9AWLhkOhjnnpN02lcaJO2ZIbXDyGrCjlWn9nEzJziCD5YmknTY3RrFSV11sthkG9-ez8cBrsVjo52rzPISakJVIS7JDGvQgJAoscgK4LW7A/w400-h300/20200903_155129+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of many lettered verses and poems from this term</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1c0zgi2UKZhKtlFJQJOwkXQ_2XMbgHNTV9AWLhkOhjnnpN02lcaJO2ZIbXDyGrCjlWn9nEzJziCD5YmknTY3RrFSV11sthkG9-ez8cBrsVjo52rzPISakJVIS7JDGvQgJAoscgK4LW7A/s4032/20200903_155129+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxXC-W7YraGnX_f4STK44Qz8PuR9TG6EPYrsHPQhIVUqDSOBim5Kgdg4JCZi2Nl0THr3b3PzJbitSXh9SYYr7LTXW_s3iqnKTLZIFfWdq_tjdIhtZvQ_tePZ9vKxJ7IIQAqwCRxTr34gB/s3695/20200901_100613.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2995" data-original-width="3695" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxXC-W7YraGnX_f4STK44Qz8PuR9TG6EPYrsHPQhIVUqDSOBim5Kgdg4JCZi2Nl0THr3b3PzJbitSXh9SYYr7LTXW_s3iqnKTLZIFfWdq_tjdIhtZvQ_tePZ9vKxJ7IIQAqwCRxTr34gB/w400-h324/20200901_100613.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grammar lessons using nursery rhymes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4UDiBa7bg-VgErvd-tZbzxmDs93mAarZVLeCsko9t6JF0g6JxI24Wqh5HkvN48DMfDyfH0aajsYknPN59-EJXiF2vM9icV8hwsZt2s49l7AaGfLiHU6R1AQLixGphCF7Sr2QVxmMhC2A/s3548/20200901_112136.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3548" data-original-width="2954" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4UDiBa7bg-VgErvd-tZbzxmDs93mAarZVLeCsko9t6JF0g6JxI24Wqh5HkvN48DMfDyfH0aajsYknPN59-EJXiF2vM9icV8hwsZt2s49l7AaGfLiHU6R1AQLixGphCF7Sr2QVxmMhC2A/w333-h400/20200901_112136.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="333" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">high school science</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4UDiBa7bg-VgErvd-tZbzxmDs93mAarZVLeCsko9t6JF0g6JxI24Wqh5HkvN48DMfDyfH0aajsYknPN59-EJXiF2vM9icV8hwsZt2s49l7AaGfLiHU6R1AQLixGphCF7Sr2QVxmMhC2A/s3548/20200901_112136.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_neUehj9vHbZ82a6GYd_ta3YBeaAx4QWmay0spIuQ7Z46K9qwarvC68PStVLqeWbLe3OdJSN8QEVzWJwBAYZPXepfXT-NaNbTPYkIIT5-pBErsSN_fS-y62Tbep_UJHVou8bZaOjgsP6T/s4032/20201015_111836.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_neUehj9vHbZ82a6GYd_ta3YBeaAx4QWmay0spIuQ7Z46K9qwarvC68PStVLqeWbLe3OdJSN8QEVzWJwBAYZPXepfXT-NaNbTPYkIIT5-pBErsSN_fS-y62Tbep_UJHVou8bZaOjgsP6T/w400-h300/20201015_111836.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more high school science (yep, dissections!)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRRWCE_lEvih5g1damKWS6fxuwzSSivPvPauqix26yEinbWCXghz7lUqFRVMy9FdmJ5BNELms9NmiCTg1ycCaG3e9TJgzazOgl5H1tYt93a64TVmjui4M7RTAdSMFbqM30NWcG5D9eEnP/s3096/20200831_085531.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2831" data-original-width="3096" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRRWCE_lEvih5g1damKWS6fxuwzSSivPvPauqix26yEinbWCXghz7lUqFRVMy9FdmJ5BNELms9NmiCTg1ycCaG3e9TJgzazOgl5H1tYt93a64TVmjui4M7RTAdSMFbqM30NWcG5D9eEnP/w400-h366/20200831_085531.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">copywork - he loves writing football teams :)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtDp8skDdT9Ol0iskB07LNX6gzn6K3eZjiHn8x7Y4j9-M9UrjmR3A5tpRm9391yFXcjsMEAFDoNzj6L8kANNEnVnKM19Fqitl8SMXvg_T2tcxd5KQa8bzL8m_vH7_sKullti9kotGZLNm/s4032/20200831_134034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtDp8skDdT9Ol0iskB07LNX6gzn6K3eZjiHn8x7Y4j9-M9UrjmR3A5tpRm9391yFXcjsMEAFDoNzj6L8kANNEnVnKM19Fqitl8SMXvg_T2tcxd5KQa8bzL8m_vH7_sKullti9kotGZLNm/w300-h400/20200831_134034.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">italian lesson: "Drew legge sotto la sedia!"<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdq6YpOdBquQ22FmuuYsIRh3IHyBjsFH7v3xV00p1yzCrkDdiHFvzKBC2qPoeB7PkKi6LARV2Cgyvfht4lwcmjO-lT0LV0vH5RGThNS0LUZHzK9BWGepbOR11vpJg7ubny1_T8PErvOEmj/s4032/20200826_101626.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdq6YpOdBquQ22FmuuYsIRh3IHyBjsFH7v3xV00p1yzCrkDdiHFvzKBC2qPoeB7PkKi6LARV2Cgyvfht4lwcmjO-lT0LV0vH5RGThNS0LUZHzK9BWGepbOR11vpJg7ubny1_T8PErvOEmj/w400-h300/20200826_101626.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Form 2 natural history<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLVQKVLXT-WoZDC0rDuuVFRLDEaB81x4QbN5bOqRs9zHTorJlGAExBD11iIrhQYQ2HoxsMhd3DFZ0-Uzyj_pnkO3cnHxpSQKNXO86kzaaQUz6mxlP1LYy4aMySskVkP5PtLnkAH6Zvw0_/s3209/20200826_082454.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2996" data-original-width="3209" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLVQKVLXT-WoZDC0rDuuVFRLDEaB81x4QbN5bOqRs9zHTorJlGAExBD11iIrhQYQ2HoxsMhd3DFZ0-Uzyj_pnkO3cnHxpSQKNXO86kzaaQUz6mxlP1LYy4aMySskVkP5PtLnkAH6Zvw0_/w400-h374/20200826_082454.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">reading aloud ballads at breakfast</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLVQKVLXT-WoZDC0rDuuVFRLDEaB81x4QbN5bOqRs9zHTorJlGAExBD11iIrhQYQ2HoxsMhd3DFZ0-Uzyj_pnkO3cnHxpSQKNXO86kzaaQUz6mxlP1LYy4aMySskVkP5PtLnkAH6Zvw0_/s3209/20200826_082454.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXruF0smKV6pIzyuC7YAcvJKzEvmDH0rM1BkIfSXP4doBGsqoIOV0kL7-AvFNTpRVwCFcRLs7W3Xm6CEI2VRPQhRPSBlN4Q3p54VZJaHt57SID4I1N_jAIZkvAqvNOb88WhjCvrBFtPmq/s4032/20200826_141041.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXruF0smKV6pIzyuC7YAcvJKzEvmDH0rM1BkIfSXP4doBGsqoIOV0kL7-AvFNTpRVwCFcRLs7W3Xm6CEI2VRPQhRPSBlN4Q3p54VZJaHt57SID4I1N_jAIZkvAqvNOb88WhjCvrBFtPmq/w400-h300/20200826_141041.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chalk drawing - inspired by native americans reading</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGg5nvSZI1ao53SBBa_0Ibdnr1477ip2KExmaOX1TCQwYIjQDIwt261gYK7v9aT1ZJK2WXVIP3Fhs2eg6786kzYoQ1Kp3R9hV1ezBTzVRdp-RDf2YGE5qXfErvfKOsIdOCQgXKA_CdK7Lz/s3376/20200826_140713.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="3376" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGg5nvSZI1ao53SBBa_0Ibdnr1477ip2KExmaOX1TCQwYIjQDIwt261gYK7v9aT1ZJK2WXVIP3Fhs2eg6786kzYoQ1Kp3R9hV1ezBTzVRdp-RDf2YGE5qXfErvfKOsIdOCQgXKA_CdK7Lz/w400-h320/20200826_140713.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more chalk drawing - this one from the high schooler<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyoFPfcfuUVJZcvuVy6DgZORSJ-JNkuhGAUxsrq0NMvFCgqaK132Hgh6f4xpVEP5DyWunvniKSJwEjJjeaRLwHHj9ZWwKeDE8INrADU_gSeeK2oCtVbmwzouvEBsg_F4dXKbsCBLsNcqN/s4032/20200826_125644.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyoFPfcfuUVJZcvuVy6DgZORSJ-JNkuhGAUxsrq0NMvFCgqaK132Hgh6f4xpVEP5DyWunvniKSJwEjJjeaRLwHHj9ZWwKeDE8INrADU_gSeeK2oCtVbmwzouvEBsg_F4dXKbsCBLsNcqN/w400-h300/20200826_125644.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Form 1 natural history</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbUdW2-UUWKvTiZtgm-BqaqVUgA8LPsbLaDV-Net_ILxITwZ-K7MD-JovsxlSdAk6k8LOXW0Tggye3lJg9VanJmauyQ_i6XH08BVuDxZgsuh13r66kmydheAKs9jWzCA8SnZ_fZ4xZht9/s4032/20200825_133105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><br /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXv0VRqEHuYhhzainiPvMJO6k2lNcPeoyaqOT384Ydn5z6cKPZIsyp_t6SSU2hwl_pyi4eJV1tlIL5G4V7nvFrT0mg6HCbunfs440IgzLPtiSfaYyWQx_C71ATSCcu52oUFXABnI_eul9/w300-h400/20200825_114726.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;" width="300" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fesole Club work<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyTty1EgyWEHSCrY6EyrR775vka5KBk-QTFGT21fQjpGx_lfSkgkxLeeWYWURotgULvg7EYta0tckKDVswCUUG-Pl_Pd9PovMHCCgXLkudWPb5h4QVoy3bfoGDRiV2TKuIeLrr4rlKHd8/s3686/20200824_095002%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2502" data-original-width="3686" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyTty1EgyWEHSCrY6EyrR775vka5KBk-QTFGT21fQjpGx_lfSkgkxLeeWYWURotgULvg7EYta0tckKDVswCUUG-Pl_Pd9PovMHCCgXLkudWPb5h4QVoy3bfoGDRiV2TKuIeLrr4rlKHd8/w400-h271/20200824_095002%257E2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Form 2 mapwork<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmDeYHYBLZ06zP_9QfUNRKB6FMtjMDOg7HYA_74H8j85-1nH991fs-xoIxs7D0fV0hKoXYqhCXj1l2hbQpH4d58FH5802H4zlLQz_rsIF5iLIUx2bus9Lc3_iitF4G8xc6_sP0sWuL5x7/s4032/20200820_121030.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmDeYHYBLZ06zP_9QfUNRKB6FMtjMDOg7HYA_74H8j85-1nH991fs-xoIxs7D0fV0hKoXYqhCXj1l2hbQpH4d58FH5802H4zlLQz_rsIF5iLIUx2bus9Lc3_iitF4G8xc6_sP0sWuL5x7/w300-h400/20200820_121030.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Form 1 sand tray geography</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjh_dlWDSlr6Ee1-erNeJYPuutPZEXMvopotw-M250nsvr1RISA3k1AONN-w7KgPhw4F24cUSY2232FXK7GsnJskhUq8PKweoZRwrYQYydKxLr23FsmWCi920K8Nfhk-MDbHH1MV2YUN-R/s3167/20201014_130617.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2429" data-original-width="3167" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjh_dlWDSlr6Ee1-erNeJYPuutPZEXMvopotw-M250nsvr1RISA3k1AONN-w7KgPhw4F24cUSY2232FXK7GsnJskhUq8PKweoZRwrYQYydKxLr23FsmWCi920K8Nfhk-MDbHH1MV2YUN-R/w400-h306/20201014_130617.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bible recitations</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjh_dlWDSlr6Ee1-erNeJYPuutPZEXMvopotw-M250nsvr1RISA3k1AONN-w7KgPhw4F24cUSY2232FXK7GsnJskhUq8PKweoZRwrYQYydKxLr23FsmWCi920K8Nfhk-MDbHH1MV2YUN-R/s3167/20201014_130617.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjar_W5MWvX1x0M9lEznzaKqg-EM6rmJ-xX1koQ7z2_wuxUJ7RXgSp5gPZudFdoRvJMmn_w2rCBSr7TjYBynjsNiz0CykVqytVwD7_3OzCn4VCR3XUswDfScrcddMgX7hoai6AgqnzGGCk_/s4032/20201014_130608.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjar_W5MWvX1x0M9lEznzaKqg-EM6rmJ-xX1koQ7z2_wuxUJ7RXgSp5gPZudFdoRvJMmn_w2rCBSr7TjYBynjsNiz0CykVqytVwD7_3OzCn4VCR3XUswDfScrcddMgX7hoai6AgqnzGGCk_/w300-h400/20201014_130608.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81ih5BZHAjX056ZgcvIbF93oizpApbsGyWSgTP5YI6sfkkhEW9yDADe2Jz9n0JRcX7NPPM9XrObixxXDGpkc0NSGCjTImP28tA1K76Jc9JXE1L_tFHsUBTTYoE2wzz6K14a6RuoulbQCO/s4032/20201006_111417.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81ih5BZHAjX056ZgcvIbF93oizpApbsGyWSgTP5YI6sfkkhEW9yDADe2Jz9n0JRcX7NPPM9XrObixxXDGpkc0NSGCjTImP28tA1K76Jc9JXE1L_tFHsUBTTYoE2wzz6K14a6RuoulbQCO/w400-h300/20201006_111417.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chalkboard sketch maps for Form 1</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRQRcIX_-HXuWV771tJRo8UUQ6ZVGnDCz4K3tzCbS0RWwv9PyrkMaAwtKe7E0j2Rw6mTue4s4VSlhmwGAzIPuxKdmzc677pBuU7FKV1KGnBFGoQ_YVeq6Kmbt-H3YHxYBoeNdOhsLt71-/s2933/20201001_121027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2430" data-original-width="2933" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRQRcIX_-HXuWV771tJRo8UUQ6ZVGnDCz4K3tzCbS0RWwv9PyrkMaAwtKe7E0j2Rw6mTue4s4VSlhmwGAzIPuxKdmzc677pBuU7FKV1KGnBFGoQ_YVeq6Kmbt-H3YHxYBoeNdOhsLt71-/w400-h331/20201001_121027.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">singing games!</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRQRcIX_-HXuWV771tJRo8UUQ6ZVGnDCz4K3tzCbS0RWwv9PyrkMaAwtKe7E0j2Rw6mTue4s4VSlhmwGAzIPuxKdmzc677pBuU7FKV1KGnBFGoQ_YVeq6Kmbt-H3YHxYBoeNdOhsLt71-/s2933/20201001_121027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH50j42V2e8BaWsl7CtNgqSQQJVMKu5qRJP61Wi6HKu4lL-w3wTdD6NsaVTffx-cV_n1JZnblVbgXYPYy7NpnA6p8aTc1lPHvTFfKtF-RjwvqvZHXG9lp-YPUllzJIqTR2UljqDC7he95d/s4032/20200929_115536.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH50j42V2e8BaWsl7CtNgqSQQJVMKu5qRJP61Wi6HKu4lL-w3wTdD6NsaVTffx-cV_n1JZnblVbgXYPYy7NpnA6p8aTc1lPHvTFfKtF-RjwvqvZHXG9lp-YPUllzJIqTR2UljqDC7he95d/w400-h300/20200929_115536.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">brush drawing</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AafKVDr6RUHdzMslI5naG3DzYhSfgCM8L42uhG5M6t3iDXn8JuRD-V6Q5oBU32zi7hQOMKKYtJY2dJqW0bdX8YfF1klVm2alVCZE-S7ARWOjCzyofLeBHcfmQDrZBKuAcoAuizsLDJuv/s4032/20200929_115639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AafKVDr6RUHdzMslI5naG3DzYhSfgCM8L42uhG5M6t3iDXn8JuRD-V6Q5oBU32zi7hQOMKKYtJY2dJqW0bdX8YfF1klVm2alVCZE-S7ARWOjCzyofLeBHcfmQDrZBKuAcoAuizsLDJuv/w400-h300/20200929_115639.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEbSFbV8YtMrvglW2l9SB1EPKgb4h9t1K8DTzyo50lC4fHrbiPrch-dsmo0BS6CKKLQlGHbPepgBJQhpyz5oSKybAvx3xc9y3nVrvPBKqvqdYe4idybalPE_3JpcsCUD3p9_VhFpYRr3g/s4032/20200921_142009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEbSFbV8YtMrvglW2l9SB1EPKgb4h9t1K8DTzyo50lC4fHrbiPrch-dsmo0BS6CKKLQlGHbPepgBJQhpyz5oSKybAvx3xc9y3nVrvPBKqvqdYe4idybalPE_3JpcsCUD3p9_VhFpYRr3g/w400-h300/20200921_142009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><div>It's been such a full year so far with <a href="https://www.thecmec.org/" target="_blank">the CMEC</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm hoping to put up a post soon focused on the other half of my kids: the littles! :)</div></div>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2682457774245843924.post-22248428446289167882020-08-21T16:05:00.000-07:002020-08-21T16:05:11.381-07:00What We're Reading :: Late Summer 2020Like I have mentioned, we started back to lessons a couple weeks ago (<a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2020/08/back-to-school-fall-2020.html">here</a> and <a href="http://joyouslessons.blogspot.com/2020/08/this-and-that-two-weeks-in.html" target="_blank">here</a> for some peeks at our school year so far), so I'm squeezing in this summer break post right at the end here to share what we read over the past couple months or so.<div><br /></div><div>Our libraries were closed due to COVID this summer, so we were SO grateful to have our own stocked shelves to "shop" for summer reading. (Can anyone else relate?!)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://learninghowtolive.com/" target="_blank">Amy</a> shared with me that each student in her house creates a summer reading stack for themselves -- so we decided to do the very same thing! I had the kids grab a stack of books from our shelves that they wanted to read through over the break. We kept the stacks on the bookshelf in our entry for easy access and it worked really well.<br /><div><br />
<b><u>Me</u></b><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/31UCqea" target="_blank">Zena Hitz's </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/31UCqea" target="_blank">Lost in Thought</a> </i>(was reading with friends online)<br /><a href="https://amzn.to/2Cussr1" target="_blank">Cather's<i> The Song of the Lark</i> </a>(started this in the spring and have come back to finish it)<br /><i>Don Quixote</i> (Form 4 novel for Term 1 -- we're using an edited version the PNEU assigned)</div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3asCMMR" target="_blank">Belloc's </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3asCMMR" target="_blank">Characters of the Reformation</a> </i>(also for Form 4)</div><div>Montgomery's <i>Jane of Lantern Hill</i> (just fnished re-reading for my Form 2 students' novel -- so good!)<br /><br />
<b><u>Vincent, age 14</u></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnn-nDDOffbNqlzSQYkCxzg4uJHZCpsNvD79dTVq3K9ph7zARFqGQRhXukTzVg-LBBwY9bA0RScen7BggBNKixFHg3vkY4KDiXTjNJbhjGyW9jN7nt86D6esdz7qCzXoVk9oYOQROMRyR/s1600/20200709_122349.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnn-nDDOffbNqlzSQYkCxzg4uJHZCpsNvD79dTVq3K9ph7zARFqGQRhXukTzVg-LBBwY9bA0RScen7BggBNKixFHg3vkY4KDiXTjNJbhjGyW9jN7nt86D6esdz7qCzXoVk9oYOQROMRyR/w500-h375/20200709_122349.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<b><u><br /></u></b><a href="https://amzn.to/344ZPfB" target="_blank">Baroness Orczy's <i>The Scarlet Pimpernel</i></a></div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/2Y7ySUR" target="_blank">Knowles' <i>A Separate Peace</i></a></div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/2Y6UtMO" target="_blank">Verne's </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/2Y6UtMO" target="_blank">Around the World in Eighty Days</a> </i>(he also read a bunch more Verne)</div><div>Caras' <i>The Forest</i> (out of print, but it was a recommendation from Amy)</div><div>And he spent a good amount of time rereading some Walter Farley books and Bethlehem Books' historical fiction, which is perfect summer reading!</div><div><br /></div><div>
<u>Gianna, age almost-14</u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphMB0zRUj14IKhqU2D060XlYYps3thJW6CKtnMZR5VzKwL9QNxQo9NWI7z61x21S7uJs3GEVWav9ujKGXYV536rYZOVbsGM4rwIBbu8M-t6Fk8UxtcNVjZrXPBJVamLgYlDIN9AIkroWM/s1600/20200709_123018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphMB0zRUj14IKhqU2D060XlYYps3thJW6CKtnMZR5VzKwL9QNxQo9NWI7z61x21S7uJs3GEVWav9ujKGXYV536rYZOVbsGM4rwIBbu8M-t6Fk8UxtcNVjZrXPBJVamLgYlDIN9AIkroWM/w500-h375/20200709_123018.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<u><br /></u><a href="https://amzn.to/3aHjRy9" target="_blank">Gilbreth's <i>Cheaper by the Dozen</i></a> (my kids found this very relatable -- LOL!)</div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3kT0Ayn" target="_blank">Dickens' <i>Nicholas Nickleby</i></a> (I have been giving them a Dickens to read each year)</div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3g6YZkK" target="_blank">Juster's <i>The Phantom Tollbooth</i></a></div><div>Austen's <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3473hpO" target="_blank">Sense and Sensibility</a></i> (re-read) and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2CxZ977" target="_blank">Pride and Prejudice</a></i> (first time!)</div><div>The last few books in the Betsy-Tacy series</div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/2Y7PEmO" target="_blank">Mother Loyola's <i>Home for Good</i></a> (I mentioned this in my Catholic books post for this year)</div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3iO2hva" target="_blank">Verne's <i>From the Earth to the Moon</i></a> (the Sea Wolf Books reprints are really nice!)</div><div>
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Cate, age 11</u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPg0_SUhvNmybARo6BXaTkghNZcyB9mse1JkGbcRJVo92OSG2mhqWvfDcvku18YUYKhfvcwEtL8xBqq5l0TWHeafVMMywNhEJDP4w3FSk-m9KfVX36ldj-d8WyvLK9hH7BfcmnqA80mvlU/s1600/20200709_122401.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPg0_SUhvNmybARo6BXaTkghNZcyB9mse1JkGbcRJVo92OSG2mhqWvfDcvku18YUYKhfvcwEtL8xBqq5l0TWHeafVMMywNhEJDP4w3FSk-m9KfVX36ldj-d8WyvLK9hH7BfcmnqA80mvlU/w500-h375/20200709_122401.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />Montgomery's <i>Emily of New Moon</i> series (I have the older versions which I can't link to - but there's <a href="https://amzn.to/3108Jcc" target="_blank">this one-volume option</a> that looks ok...)</div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3l1hfQm" target="_blank">Eloise Jarvis McGraw's <i>Mara, Daughter of the Nile</i></a> (a favorite of my big girls)</div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3kQ7FzB" target="_blank">Long's <i>School of the Woods</i></a></div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/314iGFM" target="_blank">Pyle's <i>Otto of the Silver Hand</i></a> (after reading King Arthur this past year, she pulled it from the shelf)</div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3iLOeWL" target="_blank">Buck's The Big Wave</a></div><div>Alcott's <i>Little Women</i> (her first read-through!)<br />
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Xavier, age 10</u><br /><br />
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<div><br /></div>He has been obsessed with <a href="https://amzn.to/3iOhmNe">Redwall</a> this summer, as you can see!</div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3iNWm9f" target="_blank">Bailey's <i>Miss Hickory</i></a> (his sister told him he had to read it)</div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3109Kkw" target="_blank">Lawson's <i>Rabbit Hill</i></a></div><div><i><a href="https://amzn.to/345xANL" target="_blank">Crusader King: A Novel of Baldwin IV and the Crusades</a></i> (a birthday gift for my knight-loving boy)</div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/316RS7T" target="_blank">Hilda van Stockum's <i>The Winged Watchman</i></a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/2EdZY5h" target="_blank">Pollard's <i>Beorn the Proud</i></a> (both related to last year's history reading)</div><div><br /></div><div><u>
Bridget, age 8</u></div><div><u><br /></u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi795166qosI_fN88IqJ1ssdxCL0bHdzm2SUpXX30y3e0UuBOGF_PI3EGtyspw7ebMlgG34zKacl7Bzj48Dm8uUwWM_8KO3u29K0EhmRDsAPg118v6-ofWtaM6bJeuPknJINL2ogEd980TG/s1600/20200709_122413.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi795166qosI_fN88IqJ1ssdxCL0bHdzm2SUpXX30y3e0UuBOGF_PI3EGtyspw7ebMlgG34zKacl7Bzj48Dm8uUwWM_8KO3u29K0EhmRDsAPg118v6-ofWtaM6bJeuPknJINL2ogEd980TG/w500-h375/20200709_122413.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3kYpsF1" target="_blank">McCloskey's <i>Homer Price</i></a></div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/34aikPF" target="_blank">Stoutenburg's <i>American Tall Tales</i></a></div><div>The Father Finn books (Vincent got a set for his birthday and the kids have been passing them back and forth since)</div><a href="https://amzn.to/2Y7Knvm" target="_blank">Estes' </a><i><a href="https://amzn.to/2Y7Knvm" target="_blank">Pinky Pye</a> </i>(she read <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2Y9JDG1" target="_blank">Ginger Pye</a></i> last year)</div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/312q2cT" target="_blank">Campbell's <i>Fiddlesticks and Freckles</i></a></div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3g3PXEY" target="_blank">Pyle's <i>The Wonder Clock</i></a><br />
<u><br /></u></div><div><u>Clara, age 7</u></div><div>I dedicated a bit of daily time to Clara's reading lessons each day with the <a href="https://amzn.to/3g4mICe" target="_blank">Treadwell Readers</a>. She made lots of progress and decided to paint little cards of each story as she goes!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3lx1UjkZpaDENnSRXgtqNJmJDQOXPhDX-kqioeM4CwU3Lb-EENwWhjN8FOUWA93b930G9O9d4ooMe05EnvZC1HDvT1b8oVT8vx_f1sDpcOetWS_lJvAN9rRpkEm7VNd17oGqEa0s7o_C/w410-h307/20200507_110957.jpg" width="410" /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDNtyXkPevjdKsHkRug9Iy08I3l549tFWydg1ZPeSgwL7fEKHgKvYiIEMWihPeUsfai59_ulRZfR2NLLGGeU3MHclSw-CP0XXPgzavyLZ67ydvM2bU7PVrJA0_0m6-JOgKLJmvgXJXS4_/w410-h307/20200504_123628.jpg" width="410" /></div><div><br /></div><div><u>
The Little Boys, ages 6, 4, and 3</u><br />
We did lots and lots of picture books together this summer. Here's one evening's selections by Damien:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinvSXYxicxig9vmTvQi1yjWBk96IM2dU1sToclGDUz-oKx0e0qi_0NoNuVlIbd7AFoak7TYEul_5hUZmEsOZoFtz2-qE93Esc0g4UMazeM1HeS3N9tTEWXR_XvjbPtu-vGKRXwSlSpOJr/s3390/IMG_20200531_180547_415.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3021" data-original-width="3390" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinvSXYxicxig9vmTvQi1yjWBk96IM2dU1sToclGDUz-oKx0e0qi_0NoNuVlIbd7AFoak7TYEul_5hUZmEsOZoFtz2-qE93Esc0g4UMazeM1HeS3N9tTEWXR_XvjbPtu-vGKRXwSlSpOJr/w410-h365/IMG_20200531_180547_415.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3kSJVuA" target="_blank">Byron Barton's <i>Airport</i></a></div><div>Orchard's <i>Little Yellow Book of Nursery Rhymes</i></div><div>Flack's <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3iJXyKM" target="_blank">Ask Mr. Bear</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/31ToHnM" target="_blank">Angus Lost</a> </i>(the Angus series is among my very favorites to read aloud)</div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/3h41Yf8" target="_blank">Lenski's <i>The Little Auto</i></a><div>
<br /><u>On audio</u><br /><i>
Five Little Peppers and How They Grew</i> (the Term 1 novel for my Form 1 kids)<br />They also listened to a couple of the Redwall books this summer, which inspired lots of drawing and story writing -- like these maps by Xavier!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4S1DNuHH705VMEgbgAn83xgq1kTXNQjD_LB6Qotjp7p7kgtPkaim7mpq7bIECcR7F-DIuRn894eX_6TJUIuhhTxxoEZS7jjX8i95eKWvqzeealBzIhU-08BxHqVpJeCR83n8HqraTjsf5/s2968/20200531_144815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2722" data-original-width="2968" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4S1DNuHH705VMEgbgAn83xgq1kTXNQjD_LB6Qotjp7p7kgtPkaim7mpq7bIECcR7F-DIuRn894eX_6TJUIuhhTxxoEZS7jjX8i95eKWvqzeealBzIhU-08BxHqVpJeCR83n8HqraTjsf5/w410-h376/20200531_144815.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlPg4q6wGqQ7zF9awvx-_VDvPeDs_tXyjYqADbzJPXdGuKnsz8YsgMMXh9uO1023vmhZoThTxgAcc224v_4DhCfKN4QByYZcWjp69stnVDr0IXEwS-usH0BQY63gPKVyhDwnKodkzEveP/s4032/20200531_144821.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlPg4q6wGqQ7zF9awvx-_VDvPeDs_tXyjYqADbzJPXdGuKnsz8YsgMMXh9uO1023vmhZoThTxgAcc224v_4DhCfKN4QByYZcWjp69stnVDr0IXEwS-usH0BQY63gPKVyhDwnKodkzEveP/w410-h307/20200531_144821.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJGYoOVChvWK4vBxjoOTUVUKx4UDBEs8dj-LnnIgxzl2YeFKgBZhd_Q48oTeOKBXZ8oauaYb8AxHiJlAqUJP2uIbsNI3KPQ7bm8rnYvmQ32JuGGl0qHgb8v33i79AYOmyjQCj_kuZ9qH1/s4032/20200531_144852.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJGYoOVChvWK4vBxjoOTUVUKx4UDBEs8dj-LnnIgxzl2YeFKgBZhd_Q48oTeOKBXZ8oauaYb8AxHiJlAqUJP2uIbsNI3KPQ7bm8rnYvmQ32JuGGl0qHgb8v33i79AYOmyjQCj_kuZ9qH1/w410-h307/20200531_144852.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCam9iKwk71TapA4hwheJPrfCP86aYU08rEqwpjZRhtNB_Jn3a5ZC-ESSDu3nzRzC9SZDvUaSspc6hDQR1QhIfqcQ1KEKx10FQRIcpE3bykZOMuksI0IQv9L2RFy-YnmI4Oe0wrDGDutJ5/s4032/20200531_144833.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCam9iKwk71TapA4hwheJPrfCP86aYU08rEqwpjZRhtNB_Jn3a5ZC-ESSDu3nzRzC9SZDvUaSspc6hDQR1QhIfqcQ1KEKx10FQRIcpE3bykZOMuksI0IQv9L2RFy-YnmI4Oe0wrDGDutJ5/w410-h307/20200531_144833.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzT4WW6rVv_bz6fCf1VyxpkL-0EqSiU39Zg9_qAZaHq-eteiiuAXJznIuXchUJdgJ1Z_KbWCmwPiqQ0uLMYDeoai2_k1ptX72r4v1mTN8WJIQkzawdYO0nhyRmPtvsBwAc-lA8JrJmuNpT/s3427/IMG_20200528_155304_580.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3427" data-original-width="3024" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzT4WW6rVv_bz6fCf1VyxpkL-0EqSiU39Zg9_qAZaHq-eteiiuAXJznIuXchUJdgJ1Z_KbWCmwPiqQ0uLMYDeoai2_k1ptX72r4v1mTN8WJIQkzawdYO0nhyRmPtvsBwAc-lA8JrJmuNpT/w452-h512/IMG_20200528_155304_580.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(I don't know about you, but I'd like to live at Redcrest if I could! :))</div><div><br />There was also lots and lots of pre-reading and books in the mail this summer. I'll have to sprinkle those in through the year as there are too many wonderful ones to share here!</div></div>Celestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834674328751444179noreply@blogger.com11