Half-baked Homeschool

Since my husband is at home looking for a job most of the time now, I do not have as much time on the computer as I used to. (We only have one. If he gets a job, we can get another, but then we won't need it. Oh, the irony.) While it's worth it to enjoy his presence at home, the competition for computer time is definitely reflected in this Wrap-Up.

We studied the French and Indian War, and so continued with our studies of Native Americans. This included making popcorn with maple syrup poured on top, as the Huron Indians did, and making shields.

Bearclaw is reading The Sign of the Beaver, and we all read D'Aulaire's George Washington last week, too.

I'm speeding up Bearclaw's math lessons, because I want to progress to Level 3A in Singapore Math. I also switched Shortbread from Shiller Math to Singapore, because the latter offers more opportunities for him to do some of the work on his own, which is helpful while I'm working with Bearclaw.

We've stalled out on our family read-alouds, so we need to get that going again.

As for everything else, it will have to wait. And it will.

Shortbread turned six on Saturday, and after hosting a few little friends on Friday, we had a quiet family dinner complete with his birthday cake choice: coconut cream pie.

I am struggling a bit with the thought that if "we" are now six, "we" are no longer very young.

Seems that something helpful might be to focus on the multitude of things about my no-longer-very-young baby for which I am thankful. I'll dedicate this list of gifts to him:

46. his most frequent complaint or request: he wants to snuggle

47. his huge missing-tooth smile and his mousy brown hair

48. his "I love you" after asking "Mama?"

48. that he still has a wet thumb, a threadbare blankie (that smells vaguely of puppies and cheese), and a holdable frame

49. his wonderful creations, especially the ones he's made for me: bracelets, colored paper flowers, and the double-stick tape purse (It's picked up a little hair by now.)

50. that he counts his brother as his best friend and a perfectly wonderful sleep-over buddy (who would never make fun of his thumb or his blankie).


Happy Birthday Moochie!! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

To join in listing your gifts or enjoy what others have to share, go to A Holy Experience.

Ok, no sleigh bells really. I did scream as my saucer sled went careening down a pretty sleep slope, but my screaming voice sounds nothing like sleigh bells, to be sure. We did manage to walk around in a winter wonderland, though.

With snow promised for Sunday night, we spontaneously booked a cabin in a North Georgia development where we one day hope to build a home. After church we piled everything one might need if stranded for a week with no electricity in a remote mountain cabin and took off. We waited for the flakes as we drove up, and as we ate dinner in the cabin, and as we sat around the fire telling stories before bed. It wasn't until everyone else was nestled in for the night that I looked up from my book to see about a half-inch on the ground and more coming down rapidly. We awoke to this:


We had the whole unspoiled place to ourselves, since the big snow happened on a Sunday night, when no one was spending the weekend (a benefit of unemployment and homeschooling). It was breathtakingly beautiful, and the sledding was top-notch.


Afterwards there was hot cocoa. And wet clothes everywhere with no clothes dryer. And then they went out and did it again.

Later on, my husband and I did indeed conspire by the fire (I always thought is was perspire when I was little).

When it comes to facing plans unafraid, though, I need some encouragement. Ann Voskamp offered some timely thoughts last week.

One plan we had to face: getting home.

We weren't even sure we could get off the property, but we were running out of whipped cream, so we gave it a shot. I'm happy to report that we arrived home safely, and school's closed tomorrow, too (and our hybrid program with it)! Yippee!

I thought that with the New Year I might revamp or rededicate myself to blogging (was I ever REALLY dedicated?), and that I would post an entry about it first thing this new year. But then I read Ann's post today, and I was reminded that what I really need to do "first thing" is give thanks.

So many gifts as we enter 2011...


34. Hoppin John, because I really didn't feel like roasting a pork loin.


36. Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday and forever (Heb 13:8). That means Emmanuel always has been and always will be.
37. My new slippers. I've never owned slippers as an adult. Now I'm making up for lost time.

38. Menu plans, clean calendars, new lesson plans.


40. A calling this new year to focus on His presence and seek His face. And the promise that I'll find Him.

41. My sweet husband's unemployment means he's home, and it's way better than I thought it would be.

42. Big guy's willingness to eat kale soup without complaint.

43. A new devotional.

44. A finished novel. (Read, of course, not written)

45. This winter's pace, with time to stop, to linger, to listen.

More gifts of can be found at A Holy Experience.