Misc School Stuff...SWB Style

SWB...that is Susan Wise Bauer. I read a few of her articles tonight that were REALLY helpful for me.

Does your child need a Gap Year? Susan Wise Bauer talks about the idea of taking a year off between high school and college. Sounds terrific! Check out part 2, part 3, and part 4.

Can Classical Education be fun? You bet!

Classical Education and Charlotte Mason...Similarities and Differences. This one has been very helpful for me.

Suffering Well

Here is a terrific article about a 35 year old pastor that is suffering well. I saw this over at Little Sanctuary.

Happy Birthday Remy

My baby is 2 today! Happy Birthday Remy Christian Sexton!

Moms Need Naps Too

Here is a great post encouraging us to close our eyes and RELAX for 10 or 15 minutes in the afternoon. My kids have rest time, but I always feel like I need to get lots done! Starting tomorrow I am going to put my feet up and take Tricia's advice. I think she is right that it will make me more calm and happy during the crazy afternoon hours. Here are some ideas for kids during rest time.

Accountability Update...

My "read the bible through in 90 days" reading plan is, well...it may take a smidge more than 90 days. I actually don't know how long it will take me! I can't say that I am totally surprised, but I wish I was a little farther along. But, the good thing is that I have been trying to make it much more of a priority and have been enjoying reading large chunks of scripture at once. Using the free ESV audio bible online while I read along is very helpful if I am able to sit at the computer while I read. If you click the link above look for the word "listen" to access the audio bible.

One of the things that has been on my mind through this reading plan is that I want my kids to *SEE* me reading the bible and *SEE* me praying. I could do it after they are in bed or before they get up, but I also want them to grow up having seen me in the bible and in prayer often. It might not be a predictable, regular schedule, but I want them to grow up with those images fixed firmly in their minds.

How Transparent Should You Be?

I have often wondered about this topic. Just how open should you be about your sin? How much should you share? Who should you share it with? This terrific article had some really great thoughts on the issue!

Children Who Care

While reading Steady Days by Jamie Martin I came across a Charlotte Mason quote that is worth sharing. Charlotte wrote:

"The question is not,-how much does the youth know? when he has finished his education- but how much does he care? and about how many orders of things does he care? In fact, how large is the room in which he finds his feet set? and, therefore, how full is the life he has before him?"

Work Boxes...Yay or Nay?

Well, after day one of the Work Box system Aiden's verdict is...

YAY!!!

He totally loved knowing just what he needed to do and he felt big knowing what to get next all by himself. I am going to separate things out a bit more tomorrow. I put too much in each box today. But, I just had to write and say that it was a huge success :0)

The Work Box System

My new friend Angie mentioned The Workbox System at our homeschooling group Tuesday night. It sounded great! I did not research the whole system. Instead, I just got a few boxes and separated Aiden's schoolwork out between them. When he has gone through all the boxes he knows he is done with school. It lets him know where he is at and how much more there is to do. Eventually I want to add chores and other things to their boxes, but for now I am starting with the basics. I went with the modular latch boxes that stack together (from Wal-mart).

I'm also posting a picture of some tall skinny file boxes that might work well for some (from Office Max).

Savvy Nest

Savvy Nest is a terrific new blog run by Emily. She is the sister of a long time friend of mine (Hi Susanne!) and she knows her stuff. Stop by her blog and don't forget to click on each heading to see each section. Consider subscribing to help her get going!

Teaching Kids at the Table

Nancy posted this recently and I LOVED it. I have always thought I should be focusing on eating habits a bit more with my boys, but I felt a bit mean and wanted meal times to be fun. Well, this article about manners helped me with some of my thoughts on the matter. A terrific read (and not too long!).

Get Earth "Thrown In"

I happened to come across this quote that Pastor Tommy Lee recently posted:

“If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the slave trade, all left their mark on earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in’: Aim at earth, and you will get neither.”
~ C.S. Lewis

Plan some fun kid cooking!

Here is a short fun article about planning some fun kid cooking. This smart momma has a "cook box" that helps her out. Terrific idea!

Products I Love...take 3

These two are terrific together. The crackers are at Walmart and the cheese is at Sam's. I think the crackers are my favorite part. They go really well with any extra sharp cheddar cheese. Give 'em a try!