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Mother’s Day Thoughts & Wishes

May 10, 2008 By Laura Leave a Comment

 

Another double-whammy day coming up for us tomorrow. Pentecost Sunday, and Mother’s Day.  I will be busy LIVING the day of celebrations, and will be sure to blog about it later.  Meanwhile, I thought I would leave some of my own personal thoughts regarding Mother’s Day, a little early here.

Motherhood almost sounds like a tangible thing.
But it’s the gift of an experience, really.  A very blessed period of time, I feel.  A time which, once started, never really ends. It is seasons, that are always changing, as our children grow and evolve in their needs of us.
Motherhood is collectively, moments.
 
My days, like all mothers of young children, are chock-full of motherhood moments. Sometimes, it’s helping my children do something.  Other times it’s teaching them, conversing with them, interacting or playing with them, or listening or watching them by their request. And still at other times, it is spent providing for them, or recording their childhood days for them, in some form or another.  My days are filled with planning their day, their week, their year – their lessons, activities, or meals.  It is spent building their creations and masterpieces with them, or more importantly, their character; to grow in being the person God created them to be. And sometimes my motherhood moments are lived just by being nearby – serving as a security of my presence, in case they need me.  All moments, just being a mother.
Being a mother never really ends. Even once a mother passes, they live on as a mother – in the hearts and minds, and MEMORIES of their children.  I know this, because all I have left of my own mother, is memories. That is what makes living the moments so important, and making the most of them, while we can. Our mothers will pass on eventually, and moments pass by in real time.  But the moments themselves never, ever die, but live on as memories in our minds and in our hearts.
 
So if you’re blessed to still have your mother here with you on earth this Mother’s Day, and you are able to give her a hug, do it.  And don’t do it out of habit, or sense of obligation, but mindfully, and heartfully. Tell her you love her. Consider telling her what she means to you in your life. Tell her thank you.  Take in the moment.  It’s another moment to live in, soon to be transformed into a memory, that you’ll want to hold on to.
It’s quite nice to have a day in the year appointed to honoring mothers throughout the world, with such a simple name: Mother’s Day.  Don’t you think? As for me, on this day I will remember my own mother in the memories I have collected, and most likely cry some, for the sadness in my heart of missing her so much, and for the joy I feel as I replay the memories I have kept.  I will ponder the examples I may or may not be setting in our daily life, to help prepare my own girls for possibly one day being mothers themselves. I will spend the day as I always do, with my children, and taking hold of the truth once again; just how very blessed I feel, every day of the year, to be gifted this amazing and beautiful journey, called Motherhood.
 
To every woman, who has ever been blessed in any way, in being a mother:
It’s a vocation.  It’s a blessing.  It’s a gift.  Celebrate!
 
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you!!!
 
Thank you dear Lord for the gift of motherhood.
This is such a blessed and dignified vocation.
Lord, we often forget just how much you trust us, by giving one of your precious children into our care.
Please help us always to appreciate the importance of being a mother.
Amen
 

 

Filed Under: The Big Picture

Math Madness! & Memorization – Kindergarten

May 8, 2008 By Laura 4 Comments

math-graphic

We’re talking about the beginning skills of math memorization, for little ones, today. Our Kindergartners ( {J} {O} {S} ) have been working on addition and subtraction  in their workbooks throughout this year. Their math curriculum (Horizons/Alpha Omega Publications) had introduced math problems in both numerical sentences, as well as stacked, and as of recently, even in math story problems. Their aid right along has been a number line on the page to use for adding or subtracting. They start at the given number, and count going forward (adding) or backward(subtracting), and the number they land on is the answer to the problem. I have thought right along that this technique was rather clever, in that the kids are learning now, for the future, how to line their number columns up properly as they write their answers, and to get the idea of adding some to, or taking away from, and just the whole general idea of how math works. It’s been the fastest subject every day for them, unless we add an extra math activity with manipulatives — like money or time telling.

So tonight right after dinner, I was working at the computer.  I had an order I really needed to prep, and was also just already burned out as it was, from an intense and exhaustive appointment I had today after schooling.  Michael had to run out to do something himself, so he was not around.  So I am working along and conversing with the kids at the same time, as I often do.

And then the math started……

{S}  “Mama….give me some math problems.”

{Me} “Okaayyyy…ummm…7+2.”

{S}  “7+2?”   (pause)  “9!”

{Me} “That’s right!  Very good!”

{S}  “Give me another one!”

{Me}  “Ok, How about…18 – 4”

{S}  “18 – 4?” (pause – a thinking noise)  “14!!”

From there, as he was getting them all right, I just went with bigger numbers, and he still kept nailing them.  Then {J} comes in because he heard all of the excitement, and wants some problems too.  “Give me some!  Give me some too!” They take turns, and it becomes an intense competition between them. {O} was busy and very focused copying an adult’s crossword puzzle. But the boys were not letting up on wanting more.  Addition, subtraction, big and small numbers, calculating in their head…and they were doing it! I think they were surprising themselves that they could do it! (I didn’t know they were ready to do that either.) There were no double digit addends or subtrahends involved, where carrying over or borrowing would be necessary, but still. Granted too, they were probably using their fingers, but hey…I still do sometimes too. And they are in kindergarten!

They really could not get enough.  It went on for a long time, as I tried to work.  I began hoping Michael would walk in the door any minute and take over being the ‘math problem pitcher’.  And he did, eventually.  He was pretty impressed with what we were doing while he was gone, and thankfully, was happy to take over.  I was then able to finish up my client’s order a little quicker.

The math game went on all the way through, and in between each hug and kiss for bed, and not doubt they’ll be begging to play again as soon as they open their eyes in the morning.  I’m grateful for the break tonight now that they are in bed, (although numbers are still flying around in my head, because that’s me) but also really amazed and grateful at how effective their whole curriculum, and lessons we’ve taught them, have been for them.  It is an advanced Kindergarten curriculum, but have really credited how each concept is introduced in a building, and spiraling, and building some more, sort of process, and have thought of it as just that;  Base prep work and building techniques for next year. But they are truly getting it more than that. And with JOY as they do.  That’s what I love the most.  Whether they get a concept or not — it’s that they have FUN learning that matters most to us, because eventually they are going to get it all.  But to see them truly understand and demonstrate it over and over is a satisfying feeling.  Seeing how much they are getting so early on, is encouraging. Because the truth is, I don’t think my kids are some unique geniuses, or necessarily smarter than other kids. And I surely do not need them to know everything now. It’s just the re-enforcement of our strong beliefs all along; that kids will learn more, and EMBRACE LEARNING, even CRAVE it, when they have fun doing it.

They have also been entertaining themselves, and each other, with memorization and recitation. All 3 of them are very fluent readers now, (well, all 4…lol) and they have taken to finding funny stories or poems in their abundance of books, and memorizing them, and then reciting them for eachother, or us…or anyone who will listen, in stores, or where ever we are.  Most of what they have a desire to memorize are the funny, very silly things, of course.  You know how, with kids, if something is funny once, it’s still funny the next 999 times.  So they take turns spouting off this poem or that, and they all crack up, and it just never gets old.  But this practice of memorization, that is merely a game to them that they came up with on their own, is just how education at home, in life, happens on it’s own. Yet it builds their memorization skills for the things they will HAVE to memorize for an assignment, or for functioning in life. Just like the scripture memorization they have done, they are acquiring various valuable benefits and skills from the ‘game’.

I just had to express what….contentment I feel tonight.  Again. About this life of ours I love, and our decision to homeschool. These are the moments, that we have every day, that show us the fruits of our ‘labor’, if you want to call it that. To see the progression of their skills and gain of knowledge every day, as they display it for us in various ways, with such HAPPINESS and pride in themselves, IS the reward and the pay-offs. We wouldn’t want to miss one minute of the amazing progress for the world; from introduction of a new concept, to seeing the lightbulb in their head go off, to them grasping and running with it with such enjoyment. Just living, loving, and learning, every day.  That’s what it’s all about to us. Witnessing these moments, is something we treasure and are so grateful for, even if we are hearing one thing or another for the 1,001 time.  “Listen to this, Mama”  “Watch me do this, Daddy! Look!”  “Mama, see what I can do?”   “Watch me again!”

Yes, we will always listen and look. Sometimes with eagerness, and sometimes with some real scrounged up patience, when we are trying to accomplish something of our own, because it matters to them. It is life. It’s the learning process of little ones, and it is the love of learning, growing, and the satisfaction of new accomplishments and skills they can each call their own.  And there can never be enough. There will always be time for such things. It is all gifts, our gifts, receiving gifts, and just multiplying before our eyes.

So bring it on, kids. We will listen, we will look, we will cheer, and we will clap, as all 4 of you realize there is nothing you cannot do, with hard work, desire and determination, and the grace of God.  The rewards are all yours.  And it is enough for us to just listen, and watch, over and over again.

Filed Under: Elementary Homeschooling, Elementary Homeschooling MATH, Homeschooling Tagged With: homeschooling, homeschooling-elementary-math, kindergarten-math, math-memorization

Mass Audubon Society Wildlife Sanctuary – Field Trip – On the Wrong Day

May 6, 2008 By Laura 3 Comments

1_mother-goose-goslings

When I first found out the about this field trip to the Mass Audubon Society Wildlife Sanctuary via e-mail, I apparently relied on my memory, while going from the computer to the calendar. I guess I shouldn’t have done that, because there is a big difference between the 6th, and the 16th! Might explain why we were the only ones there, huh??  Good golly.  We were supposed to meet lots of other homeschoolers there, but all we could see or hear were birds.

So we decided to make the most of it, since we were already there. It was a beautiful day, and I got some nice photos our of our peaceful hike.  Don’t you love the photos above and below of the geese and their goslings? Whenever I have seen ducks and their ducklings, or geese and their goslings in my life, I just feel a little something inside. I can identify with them somehow, in a family/parental way. They seem to take such care in guiding their young ones, and are so very protective if danger or possible predators (like us) gets too near to their young.  Aggressively so, as if there is nothing they won’t do to protect their children. I can relate to that, and I’m sure many of you parents can, as well. Anyway, I enjoyed watching and photographing this feathered-family.

geese and goslings

These acres at this wildlife sanctuary, owned by Mass Audubon, is just beautiful.  Wide open wet-lands and woods, and meandering, winding boardwalks throughout. (I love boardwalks too.)  It’s all conservation land of course, and is such a haven of all kinds of beautiful birds, and creatures big and small. I bet in the evening hours, as it approaches dusk, it’s a whole other world, equally as amazing and beautiful, but different.

Mass Audubon Society Wlidlife Bird Sanctuary

There was so much to photograph, but I was wishing I had a much bigger zoom!  Many of these photos are extremely cropped, which I hate to do because of quality loss.  But nonetheless,  I’d venture to say we wouldn’t have seen (or been able to sneak up on) some of the little things we saw today, had so many more people been with us.  Like this little garter snake. Can you see him?

gardener snake

Or this little white moth, that’s as good as a butterfly to my kids. : )

white moth and dandelions

There were little turtles, just soaking up the warm sun on rocks and limbs extending out of the waters, everywhere.  I think I would rather enjoy being a turtle here at this place, for a day or 2. As long as my turtle family was with me, and were feeling just as mellow.  : )

family of turtles

Here’s another shot I just love, because I love these kind of ‘craggly’ trees. (Is that a word?  Craggly?) I remember trying to draw them a lot as a kid.  I found it hard to really make every stroke different-as no 2 branches or twigs are the same. I found I would start balancing it all out without thinking.  Maybe it’s the Libra in me.

7_craggly-tree

It was really nice just walking around together. It was so quiet there (except for my kids, who tend to have volumes we are working on.)  The weather was perfect. It wasn’t too hot, cold, or windy.  There were no bugs bothering us, and it was so…peaceful there.  Just following the trails and boardwalks, and keeping an eye out for anything of nature to appreciate, and marveling at the creativity of our God, everywhere we look.

kids walking Mass Audubon Society Wildlife Sanctuary boardwalk

Of course I can never keep myself from photographing the kids, and I got plenty of those as always.  But even I got in one today with them! I’m the big kid in the middle.

9_

But this one below really melts my heart. <sigh>

10_

The kids had such a great time there, and they even said they didn’t care that no one else was there as planned.  But….I think we’ll go back and make the field trip on the RIGHT day, anyway.  I’ve corrected my calendar. Now all I have to do is remember to look at it, and know what day it is when I do, and we’re there!  The kids have already stated though that they want to be sure to wear their t-shirts they made again (because I guess the point was showing them off!)– so if I take more photos, we’ll probably have the same clothing.  Even I may wear the same t-shirt again, since {S} asked me to lean down to him today for a secret, and he whispered in my ear “You look really beauty-ful today in that shirt.”  <sniff> (I know…I think I need a moment again here.)

Anyway….here they are all together, jackets purposely unzipped (and practically hanging off) as to not cover up their designs.  As I type this, they are sound asleep in their beds, and I am quite tired myself. But I feel like I just could sit and look at this photo of them all night, (and the one of my husband too) and wonder why God blessed me so greatly. Or maybe I’ll just spend it thanking Him, once again, that He did.

11_kids-at-Mass-Audubon-Society

Filed Under: Field Trips, Homeschooling, Nature Study, Science Tagged With: field-trips, homeschooling, Mass-Audubon-Society, Mass-Audubon-Society-Wildlife-Sanctuary, wildlife-photography

T-Shirts with Sole – Craft

May 4, 2008 By Laura 2 Comments

sneaker sole t shirts

( UPDATE: This T-Shirts With Sole – Craft’ was done & blogged in 2008. Now years later, with so many crafters owning Silhouette and Cricut Cutters, this craft is easier than ever!)

Finally we got to this ‘T-Shirts With Sole – Craft project we wanted to do! I got the general idea from our Family Fun Magazine, but then just came up with our own designs and cut them out as stencils.

The kids each chose their own designs and colors, helped put the paint on the soles, and did a lot of the pressing.

kids making sneaker sole t-shirts

Below is a stencil on the shirt before painting, cut out of vinyl material.

stencil-design-on-t-shirt_3

We ended up mostly using the sole of this old sneaker for the paint pressing, because we weren’t really digging how the design from the $5 sandals was coming out. When switching to new colors for a new design, you do need to scrub wash the sole and quick blow dry it. I would recommend more dense sponges for application of the fabric paint, (like the make-up wedges maybe) because we were having troubles with these foam brushes absorbing the paint so much.

putting-paint-on-sneaker-sole_4

Pressing process. . . . .

sneaker-sole-t shirts

After the paint was all applied, we let it set for a few minutes before we carefully removed the stencil.

Set aside to dry.

sneaker-sole-t shirts

They were just washed and dried as usual.

The kids had a great time doing this t-shirt crfat project, but it does take quite a bit of adult help for the little ones (which we knew.) Especially if you don’t want paint everywhere else on the shirts (floor, furniture, walls, each other , etc.,…. : ).  They really, really love their shirts.   *UPDATE 7/2012:  These t-shirts were bought at Michael’s Arts and Crafts, back in 2008, and we bought them as too big for our kids at the time, so they would fit for a long time. Now 4 years later, they are ‘just’ getting too small, but I have to tell you, they are still great shirts!! The t-shirts have always been so soft, and now they are extra-worn comfy. But not only have the shirts themselves held up well, so has the paint pattern!  These t-shirts have been well-loved, for years.  We hope your will be too.

Filed Under: Crafts & Creations, Homemade/Handmade Gift Ideas, Kids Arts and Crafts Tagged With: homemade-handmade-gift-ideas, kids-arts-and-crafts, shoe-soles-t-shirt-craft, sole-t-shirts, t-shirt-craft, t-shirt-craft-ideas, t-shirt-crafts-with-kids

May Day Baskets and The Feast of the Ascension of our Lord

May 2, 2008 By Laura 2 Comments

May baskets
(Our May Day Baskets)

May Day
by Evaleen Stein

Let us take our baskets early
To the meadows green,
While the wild-flowers still are pearly
With the dewdrops’ sheen.
Fill them full of blossoms rosy,
Violets and gay
Cowslips, every pretty posy
Welcoming the May.
Then our lovely loads we’ll carry
Down the village street,
On each door, with laughter merry,
Hang a basket sweet.
Hey-a-day-day! It is spring now,
Lazy folks, awake!
See the pretty things we bring now
For the May-day’s sake!

Doesn’t it figure that two days we planned to acknowledge, had to land on the same day!  So it made for a busy day for us.  But the kids fell asleep that night with smiling faces, and peaceful hearts.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, we decided to teach the kids about May Day, and help them celebrate it the old fashioned way.  I’m not sure how many of you know the May Day Basket tradition, but I had an experience from my childhood that not only taught me what the day was about, but helped me remember it to this day.  It’s a story my kids ask me to tell them over and over. And lucky you…they insist I share it with you in this post as well.

I forget what grade I was in, but one year in elementary school, we made May Day Baskets in art class.  We were told that we were to leave it on the doorstep of an older loved one, to ring the doorbell, and run away and hide before the recipient opened the door and found the basket.  It was meant to bring joy to others, in celebration of springtime.

The only person I could think of, to leave my May Day Basket for, was my grandmother.  She was a very kind and well-intentioned grandmother, who lived in an elderly complex.  She was closer to my older sister than she was to me, but I loved her none the less in the years she was here.  The funny thing about her, to me, was that she could never remember my name.  She would always call me Susan.  It didn’t make me feel like the most loved grand-child in the world, but I understood somewhat where her confusion came from.  She did have a grand-daughter named Susan, who was my cousin of course. And it was better than the fact that she called my brother Jeffrey, because in his case, that was not his name either, and there was no Jeffrey at all in the family.  She was up there in age by this time, and sometimes it seemed she didn’t recognize us at all.

So the morning came to deliver my May Basket to Grandma.  I was a little worried about just leaving it on her doorstep and running away, because I knew she was a worrier, and it might scare her. I wondered too if she would even see it on the porch there,  because she had one of those solid white metal doors with the screen, and the step down to the porch was steep. So I brought my concerns to my mother.

My mother agreed that it might shake Grandma up, to open the door to find no one there.  And wondered too if she would notice the basket down on the porch.  So she asked me what I thought I should do about it.  I told her:

“Well, I thought maybe I should take the basket to her door, ring the doorbell, and when she answers, I could say “Hi Grandma, it’s me, Susan! Happy May Day!” and then give her the basket.

My mother laughed hysterically. And through the years she brought that story up again and again, never losing the humor she found in it.  So eventually I told that story to my oldest daughter, who is ALWAYS asking for another story from my childhood.  This one was bound to come up eventually–because honestly, I’m running out. (Or running low on memory.)  She loved the story, and laughed just as hard as my mother.  So she then asked me to tell our little ones my story, and they think it’s just as funny!  Now really, I do not think it is THAT funny, and you probably don’t either, but my kids wanted me to tell it, so there it is.  I hope it was worth a chuckle at least.  And if not, I hope the photos or rest of this post help make up for it. : )

So below are 2 photos of our kids assembling 2 May Day Baskets, for some older folks we know of.  Unfortunately, none of their grandparents are local, to be able to leave on their doorsteps.  So we chose an old couple who still live at the end of our street, where they actually raised their now grown 13 children! I think they have ump-teen grandchildren and great-grandchildren now, who all come to visit a lot. We also chose Sr. Jeremy from our parish, whose service and dedication to her vocation is truly inspiring. She is such a blessing to our parish family, and she loves children!

In the baskets the kids put what {A} shopped for the day before (with me of course):  Celestial Tea, Tea Biscuits, some chocolates, and some sugar-free hard candies.  They were such a team, and got the baskets together nicely.

May baskets
May baskets

Of course then I wanted another photo of them all together. In the photo below, they are all just recovering from a hardy belly-laugh. See, I thought they were being especially co-operative for the camera, with their big smiles, until they broke out with laughter.  Turns out, Daddy was behind me, pretending to lick my head.   NICE, huh?

May baskets

In the morning, we added the fresh flowers to the baskets, just before delivering them.  I know so many photos of this is not really necessary, but I couldn’t choose. I love each one of these images for different reasons. In the last one, {J} felt there was no room for the last flower, and decided to give it to his sister. Aawwww. <sniff>

  May baskets

May baskets

May baskets

May baskets

kids-delivering-may-day-baskets

kids-delivering-may-day-baskets_2jpg

kids-delivering-may-day-baskets_3

Feast of the Ascension of the Lord

With this day being a Holy Day of Obligation, we had Mass to go to that evening.

So we ate dinner early and got there in plenty of time. It was a wonderful Mass, with an effective homily (as always) from our pastor. But what touched me most, was the part of the Mass when we say the Lord’s Prayer.  As a family, we have always held hands for this prayer.  We say it together on a daily basis for Devotion, and of course always at Mass, and I don’t remember ever not holding hands. With that being said, I know there are people and families who do not join hands.  In fact, some are quite against it.  We know and respect that it is each one’s choice, and it’s a personal preference for each person.  But we just do.

So that part of the Mass comes, and as always, we join hands. I was second to the inside end, and {S} was at the very end of our family, at the far inside.  A few feet away next to him was an older couple.  As we began the prayer, I saw out of the corner of my eye, him slowly turn his head to look to his right.  And suddenly, his little feet shuffled to the right, and he reached out to hold the older woman’s hand. I looked down at his sweet face, now looking forward again, as he mumbled the prayer—holding back that smile, as he always does when he is feeling a little shy, and a little pleased with himself, at the same time.   Apparently, he noticed that the older couple was holding hands too, and so he reached out to her.  I think the lady just about melted.  I know I did.  And I was really thankful she was open to his outreach, and the notion of holding a stranger’s hand, as we were gathered together in His name, and didn’t break his little heart.

It was a wonderful day all around.  We hope your May Day was just as sweet, and if you didn’t get a basket on your doorstep, look on the bright side:  Maybe no one thinks you are old enough yet.  : )  I’m happy to report, I didn’t get one either.

 

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Filed Under: Celebrations, Crafts & Creations, Holiday Crafts, Holidays, Homemade/Handmade Gift Ideas, Seasonal Crafts and Creations, SPRING Crafts and Creations, The Big Picture, Traditions Tagged With: Catholc-family, Catholic-blogs, Catholic-kids, kids-May-activities, May Day, May-basket-delivering, May-Day-Basket-ideas, May-day-ideas, teaching-your-children-thoughtfulness

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