North?

We have a CD called "America the Musical" that gives a brief history story and relates it to a song. My boys LOVE it. One of the story/song combinations is called "Follow the Drinking Gourd" and explains how the slaves would give clues to the underground railroad through their songs. The *drinking gourd* is the big dipper and of course, taught the slaves to travel north by following the North Star.

Yesterday my sweet 5yo was sitting on the couch with me and out of the blue asked me which way was north. So we went over our directions and I explained that he can see the sunrise from his bedroom- so that direction is East and he figured it out from there. Once figured out north he exclaimed, "Then that's the way I need to head for freedom!"

Everything we do, every little opportunity - is such a gold mine! I have so many of these moments with my boys- listening to them sing along with the National Anthem, noticing pieces of classical music on commercials while sitting in a waiting room, catching them singing *mommy's music* (praise songs) while in the shower...by just taking the time to be very selective with what they are exposed to leads to such worthy rewards!

Thoughtful son..

The most precious part of my day today was hearing my oldest looking for me,
"mom, I hope you are near!" and he proceeds to excitely take me to the window to view a cluster of Cedar Waxwings on our bush.

Then he watched my face to see MOMMY'S JOY at the beautiful sight! My heart could about burst! That is love!

Out of our Element

We are a bit out of sorts around here this week! The boys are all sniffling, sneezing, coughing and generally under the weather and we have been couped up in the house since last Friday!

The boys are begging me to go out and play- but with the cold temps and the drizzling on and off rain, I don't dare let them. This has been so hard for them...usually we are out all or most of every afternoon. We miss our fresh air! My youngest isn't understanding why we have changed so drastically- he asked me in his snufalufugus voice: " Please drive me to the beach mommy, so I can dig!" aaawwww....

Back to Bed Day!

We had a 'back to bed' day today! My boys are ALL fighting colds and I thought it would be a lot of fun to get extra snuggles and cuddles. So after a light day of lessons with oldest (no table work) and a must needed run into the library, we came home with some lunch and then everyone piled into mom's big bed!

We gathered all the pillows around us and blankets up above us (brrr...cold day in Texas) and grabbed a pile of picture books from the library. And we read...and cuddled....and laughed at the drawings...and hugged...learned a thing or two...and read.

What more can we ask for? We ended the afternoon with a long call to our best friends which REALLY warmed the heart! I'd highly recommend it!

Nature on an Icy Day

WOW! Today has been incredible! We fill so blessed and so filled with God's wonder and control!

Here we are sitting home on an icy, cold Sunday, being especially lazy and cozy and a bit *stir crazy* since we haven't been outside all weekend... but God always has a plan, if you are listening and watching patiently...

We have seen the most wonderful birds today, brought right to our windows for us all to enjoy! It started with an Eastern Bluebird (see picture) that my son saw and urged us to all come see. Then the sparrows came up on the porch, followed by several little beauties that I haven't id'ed yet. Then we watched a woodpecker outside our living room... not soon after followed by my hubby nudging me and telling me to look out the kitchen window.

OH! ...I cannot describe the splendor there....a have a beautiful berry bush (? don't remember what it is) that was COVERED (!) with Cedar Waxwings...maybe 15 or more.... I just stood in wonder! They were just incredible!!! They stayed for only moments, but those were breathtaking moments to be sure. We won't be forgetting them anytime soon.

Thank you God for your Glorious World and Glorious Creatures!

Link to Homeschool Article on PBS

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week1020/cover.html#

I hope this works! I am shocked and amazed at the arguments from Prof. Reich. I think the last thing we need to worry about is that home school children are not going to become well rounded citizens! Ridiculous!

There are just so many people upset about the lack of regulation for home schoolers. What they should be much more concerned about are the treacherous conditions of their public schools!