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The Site is Up!
Can you believe it? After months of promising, we finally did it! I have to thank my already stretched-to-the-limit husband for his many hours late at night working on the new site and blog. He has blessed me as always!
Click on over to the new Preschoolers and Peace site and take a look around. You'll recognize much of the content, and the blog will be found there starting Friday, March 28th.
All of the site pages are on the toolbar on the left, while the blog will always show up on the home page. If you want to comment there today about problems you see or things you like, please feel free.
See you over there!
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Do Hard Things
The Harris brothers have written a book that is so necessary for our up and coming teens that I couldn't resist posting about it here. Some of you are just beginning the journey with little ones, but mark my words: They'll be teenagers before you know it!
From Alex and Brett:
We've written a book called Do Hard Things. It's a hardcover, non-fiction book for teens -- a genre that is about as popular with young people as foreign language math textbooks. Conventional wisdom says we'd be lucky if more than a few dozen teens bought it -- let alone read it.
But Do Hard Things is our hearts' cry. It's our humble attempt to put into words the message of a powerful work God is already doing in the hearts of young people around the world. Our prayer is that God would use it as a tool to remind a generation of timeless truth about the teen years -- and life.
You can help catapult Do Hard Things to the top of Amazon's list by pre-ordering a copy today. Click on their logo on the sidebar.
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Breakfast Cookies
This recipe is a real winner in our home. Served with fresh juice or smoothies, it's a fantastic boost for breakfast. You can use any kind of nuts and dried fruit you like. We've omitted the raisins and even used cashews because that's what we had on hand.
2 cups sucanat or turbinado
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup coconut oil
3/4 cup prune puree (baby food)
2 tablespoons water
5 egg whites
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup chopped nuts
1/3 cup chopped dried apricots
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Make a well in the center and pour in the coconut oil, prune puree, water, egg whites and vanilla. Mix until well- blended. Stir in the raisins, walnuts and apricots. Scoop cookies using an ice cream scoop, or roll into golf ball sized balls. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets and flatten to 1/2 tall with wet hands.
3. In the preheated oven, bake 8 minutes for chewy cookies (they will not get crisp). Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks. |
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Dontcha Just Love It When...
You're standing in line at the grocery store and someone makes a comment about your pregnant belly/toddler/baby-in-the-cart that goes something like this:
"Just WAIT until he's/she's two!"
or
"Just WAIT until they're teenagers!"
or
"Girls, huh? Just be glad you don't have BOYS!"
or
"Boys, huh? Just be glad you don't have GIRLS!"
I always get a kick out of their reaction when I spill the beans. And as of today, it's official:
I have two teenagers, three grammar-schoolers, one preschooler, one baby, and another due in seven weeks. And you know what? They are all a lot of fun. Wouldn't trade any of them!
Happy Birthdays, H and N!
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Pretzels!
A March Tradition
We have this goofy March tradition in our family that goes way back to my childhood, when my oldest brother would take me to get Shamrock Shakes from McDonald's. My kids love this, and we have trekked from one franchise to the next when they have run out.
Recently we were laughing about a Shamrock Shake run that happened two years ago...
Of course, you can make them at home. We've done that, too. Saves a lot of cash and they (dare I say it?) taste better:
2 cups vanilla ice cream
1 1/4 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon mint extract
8 drops green food coloring
Add some Andes mints... oh my... somebody stop me! I have to deliver this baby in eight weeks!
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Hearts and Trees Spring Kits
When They're All Preschoolers
Sometimes I get the neat experience of meeting someone who reads the P and P blog and also lives near me. Rachel and I recently got to meet, but before that we had been corresponding by email. She is expecting her sixth and will have six under seven next year!
My oldest, on the other hand, will turn 15 in less than two weeks. Life for me with eight will be easier than life for Rachel with her six. And while our little one due in May will be just 14 months younger than his big brother, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to ask Rachel for some survival tips. And I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share them with you, too:
1. Scheduling babies. I have done this (with flexibility) with most of my babies, and it helps so much! I get much needed sleep at nights and naptime, and baby seems happier.*
2. Rest time. All my children take at least a one hour rest time away from everyone else (I have to get creative here since we are running out of rooms to put people!) I let the ones who are not napping to play with quiet toys or read books. They have to clean up their rest spot after the timer goes off before they allowed to come out. I totally need this break for me! My brain needs a break to focus on something without being interrupted constantly. I use it to read, take a nap, catch up on emails, or whatever I need to do. The children know to stay in their rest spots and not call me.
3. Training time. I just learned to do this last year from a dear Mom of many. I take about 10 minutes most days to practice obedience. We started with "yes, Mommy." I quietly call them over and ask them to do something, and they respond with a "yes, Mommy" (or ma'am if you prefer - my hubby vetoed that). We make it fun and happy. They have practiced "come here," and where to stand when someone comes to the door (instead of crowding around and blocking the entrance.) We also learned Phil.2:3-4 together to learn loving our brothers and sisters - I tell them that it is their job to help make their younger siblings happy. For them that means sharing, giving, and being selfless. (I don't know yet what I will tell my youngest regarding that rule!)
4. Having the older ones do chores and help me when I need it. We are working on this one, but my oldest two are great helpers, and the younger ones are learning to be!
5. Personal exercise and Bible time. I get up before my children to do these, or they don't get done. Of course my personal Bible time is more important than exercise, but having just recently started exercising again, I see why the Bible says that "physical training is of some value." 1 Tim. 2:8 Sometimes the Bible time I have with the children is the only Bible I get all day, but God has spoken to me through that, too. Oh, and I do Bible time with the children while they are eating breakfast. That way, I have a captive audience.
6. Be flexible. There are days that nothing gets done. Nothing. I am blessed to have a patient husband because the house rarely is picked up - it was much worse when my oldest two were really little. Three children 3 and under is harder than five children 6 and under!
7. Honor and respect my husband. If I put my husband first (second to God, but before my children), our relationship stays strong and it frees me up to do the best I can as a mother.
8. Simplify. I stay home a lot more than when I only had one or two! We don't make weekly trips to the library, but maybe once a month. We only this year started sport-type classes with our children, and even then, they are small commitments, with no games, programs, etc. We also stopped having big birthday bashes, and found out we prefer to have just our immediate family celebrate together. We may have a 1st birthday party and maybe one when they are older, but not every year. Also under simplify that I am learning is have a night routine that gets me ready for the morning. It took me a long time to realize my mornings would be a lot smoother if I had the coffee pot ready, hubby's shirt ironed, his lunch made, my clothes ready, etc. Another thing is to cook in bulk. I love when I make our favorite chicken dish x4 and freeze the extras so that I can pull it out of the freezer and pop it in the oven with minimal effort.
Wow, I came up with more than I thought I would. Funny thing is, it sounds like I "have it together" and I really don't! At least I see that there are things that I do well. All I see sometimes is the never shrinking pile of clean laundry and dirty kitchen floor! Mark (hubby) and I are watching the Growing Kids God's Way video series with friends of ours. I am so happy we are watching it together to be on the same page, and for Mark to lead us. I always have read the parenting books, but don't restate things very well, and my parenting during the day was different when Daddy was home... I learned very recently that I was angry at him for not helping me at night with the children, and I would take it out on them (not pretty at all). For some reason, I thought that if I lost my self control and start yelling at them, he would see what a hard time I was having and would help me. I'm embarrassed to say it took me a long time to realize that what I was doing was wrong! (Thus the reason for me adding "honor and respect my husband" on my list.)
My hardest time with my little ones is training when they are 1/2/3years old - and that is foundational! For some reason, I have never been good at training them...maybe my expectations are low? My two year old runs the other way when I say, "Come here!" My just turned four year old son right now has been our hardest by far. We don't know if he is just "all boy" or if he is hyper, or what! When I was on my knees one day, I felt that God told me it was his diet. We are going to start the Feingold program (aka ADHD diet) that eliminates artificial colors and flavors. My hubby and I doubt it will help though, isn't that awful?! Of course a bunch of his behavior is our parenting, I am sure - if not most of it.
-Rachel
Good stuff, eh? Rachel, thanks so much for your transparency. We can all relate to at least several of your struggles, I'm sure.
*I'll be addressing the hows and whys of scheduling a baby in an upcoming post.
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Ruth Heller Verb Book
Vigorous Verbs, illustrated by 10-year-old
So, I told you about using the Ruth Heller grammar books during Circle Time. And I could be really impressive, scholarly, and important-sounding if I showed you the deep sentences my children wrote. Instead, I give you the truth. Sentences about helping verbs:
13-year-old boy: "We had gone to the bomb factory where we blew up."
10-year-old boy: "Johnny was going to blow himself up."
8-year-old girl: "I should have done the room faster."
6-year-old girl: "He was flying until he fell and broke his head."
What's with all the blood and gore? That 8-year-old, however. A sentence about tidying her room. Now that's a girl after my own heart! |
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Grace is Going Home!
With great excitement we got the news that Grace is being released from the hospital this morning! She's been breathing well without oxygen for over 24 hours and has had no need of the breathing treatments for over 8 hours.
Thank you for your faithful prayers! |
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Grace Update
Circle Time Particulars
Hi Kendra,
I am a homeschooling mom of three girls (6 1/2, 3 1/2, and 1). We regularly incorporate Circle Time into our school day, and it works well for us. I have enjoyed your blog and the many ideas you share. After I read your post today, I wanted to share an idea and also a question.
We, like you, incorporate songs into our circle time. My girls love to sing, and to include signing with our songs. Even the baby requests her favorite song (ho ho ho -- the Hosanna song). One thing I have done that my girls have loved is to find You Tube videos for our hymn of the week. My oldest loves learning hymns each week. We typically choose one to go along with our letter of the week. Many of the classic hymns have videos available on You Tube. This morning we watched one for "It is Well with my Soul." It had an introduction by Bill Gaither that told the story of author who wrote the hymn. It was a story I know, but it was told more eloquently on the video and the girls loved watching it. Perhaps even older kids would enjoy the inclusion of a short video hymn.
Our circle time often extends into an hour! I am flexible with the little girls and especially the baby plays nearby. We include our Saxon math meeting in to our circle time, and I make Circle Time our morning reading time too. Everyone has their own books, youngest to oldest, for read alouds. Do you think it is okay to let circle time be flexible with the younger ones playing, or is part of circle time the discipline of everyone sitting together, even if just for ten minutes? I am interested in your opinion.
Thanks so much for your blog and website. I regularly refer new homeschoolers to your site.
Blessings to you,
Becky
Hi Becky-
Thanks for the idea! As the ideas roll in, we should all be making a list. And moms, listen: you do not have to do everything on the list! Choose one thing. One thing you love doing and let your Circle Time grow from there.
Your question is: Do you think it is okay to let Circle Time be flexible with the younger ones playing, or is part of Circle Time the discipline of everyone sitting together, even if just for ten minutes?
This, I think, should be entirely up to you. Often we use Circle Time and Family Worship with Dad at the end of the day to capture teachable and trainable moments. Currently our one-year-old son is being trained to sit on my lap quietly for Circle Time, but as we usually begin about the time he wants a morning nap, I do not push him too much. If I can have him sitting with me for five to ten minutes, I call it successful. Soon enough he'll drop that morning nap and then we can stretch his ability to 30 minutes or more.
Teaching a little one to sit still (however and whenever you do so) is incredibly valuable. Doctor's waiting rooms, church, even funerals or other serious events can be handled well by little ones, provided they aren't overly tired or ill. For us this isn't an option; our church doesn't have a nursery, child care, or Sunday School.
But if you don't use Circle Time for training, you can certainly train at other times during the day. Really, it's your choice and your decision should reflect your household, your personality, and your family dynamics.
Hope that's helpful-
Kendra
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When Circle Time Just Isn't Working, Part Two
"Word of the Day", in pirate hat
We've done a lot of different things during Circle Time over the years. Last spring we went through the book of Acts together, notebooking each chapter. There were four of us who could read, so we divvied up the verses each day and shared the reading of the chapter. After the reading, we each drew a picture of an event or two that occurred in that particular chapter that day, and then the pictures were compiled into each child's binder. This worked beautifully; the oldest participant (me) could draw at my level and the youngest (5) could draw at hers. At the end of every day, each child was eager to show Dad their work, and so reinforcement was happening naturally, as well.
We've read books, celebrated Advent with a Jesse Tree, written letters to friends abroad, sung everyone's favorite praise song, prayed for friends in crisis, and laughed a lot. We've encouraged each other, built one another up, and discussed the things we're working on.
And yet. I lost steam. Maybe it was the unexpected pregnancy this past fall? Circle Time had become really, really predictable. And I admit I wasn't giving it much effort.
Dana challenged me a few weeks ago to once again take hold of our Circle Time and really make something of it. What we're doing now is a mix of her ideas and our established habits. And it's going very, very well.
Circle Time -- Spring 2008
- prayer
- Scripture memory, currently corresponding with what we're doing together at church:
Colossians 3:12-17
Ephesians 1:3-14
Ephesians 2:10
Romans 5:12-21
Romans 8:1-10
Matthew 5:1-19
Isaiah 53:1-12
- Word of the Day - Each child copies the word onto a piece of paper. The older ones must define it, write an original sentence using the word, and illustrate it while the younger ones simply illustrate it. HT: Dana
- Ruth Heller grammar books. We read the day's grammar snippet and then the children copy the concept (ie, "verb of being"). The older ones write a sentence illustrating the concept while the youngers simply draw a picture to describe the idea. HT: Dana
-Draw to Learn the Book of Proverbs. Thanks to my friend Liz for this one. See Liz? You newbies can teach us oldies some new tricks!
- A Child's Geography: Explore the Holy Land. It's Ann Voskamp-- need I say more?
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Update on Grace
Little Grace will be in the hospital for the better part of this week. Her oxygen levels dropped again this morning so she won't be going home soon. Please pray for Lisa as she stays with Grace all day and night (and gets little sleep) and for Eric managing the other seven kiddos and his job.
Another little guy from church is in the ER tonight-- same hospital as Grace, but his daddy is a nurse there so we can assume he's getting good care. If you are a member of our church, hang on for more news... we're waiting to hear from Mark and Amy.
These are the second and third babies in our church family of barely 200 to fight RSV this season. Doesn't make me relish the thought of exposing our sweet one year old (today!) or the new little guy arriving in May.
Are you seeing this crazy, tenacious virus where you are? I'm not a big run-to-the-doctor girl, but last week I gave in after ten days of fighting this thing and asked my doctor for an antibiotic. All of our kids have had it, and now my hubby is dealing with it, too.
If I disappear for a few days, you can assume I'm in a hospital visiting someone  I've visited five area hospitals since November. What a season, eh? |
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When Circle Time Just Isn't Working, Part One
Several weeks ago a friend from church approached me and asked, "How long is your Circle Time? My kids really don't like it and I'm wondering if I'm just expecting too much."
It was a timely question as I was beginning to see interest in Circle Time wane in our home, too. The oldest child who regularly participates in our Circle Time will be 13 this month, and I could see his eyes glaze over with sheer boredom as I called everyone together.
Then during our church's recent Homeschool Encouragement Day, Dana gave a short talk on how she accomplishes so much schoolwork with all of her kids together. I began to sense that the topic of Circle Time was something I needed to re-address here on the P and P blog.
So first things first. Let's talk about ages. My friend from church has three under five, which means her Circle Time needs to be brief. Ten minutes is a good goal, but I think content is the more important aspect for the under-six crowd. I'd recommend starting with prayer that involves each one having the opportunity to pray, a little memory work, a time of silly singing, a serious song, and a short story. Any of these things can be omitted as necessary. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- We regularly do a "Popcorn Prayer". Using the acronym ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication), each person takes turns saying something to fit ACTS. For example, I start by telling God something I adore Him for, such as "You are Holy". The next person might say, "You are faithful", etc., until we come back around to me. Then I confess something, "I confess I haven't been trusting You lately", then on to the next person until it reaches me again and I say something I'm thankful for. Thankfulness is expressed all the way around the circle until it returns to me and I ask for something in supplication ("Please help Daddy to have a restful day").
-A little memory work means a little memory work. Yes, young ones can learn a lot of Scripture, but Circle Time is the place to take little bites. We are currently learning a passage of five verses, but we tackle one verse at a time. A great resource for this is the My ABC Verses book in the sidebar.
- Silly songs include "Father Abraham", "Rise and Shine", "All-la-la-la-la-la-la-le-lu-ia", etc.
-Serious songs might either be songs you sing in church that you'd like your little ones to become more familiar with or old hymns that you know your kids won't learn unless you teach them. A lifelong grounding in solid theology can be had by learning the great hymns of the faith. There are children's hymn CDs available if you feel you need a reminder or aren't familiar with the good ones yourself. If I were to choose a "top five" of classic hymns, my choices would be It is Well With My Soul, Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, Holy, Holy, Holy, and A Mighty Fortress.
- Our little ones have consistently loved Storytime With the Millers and the Wee Lambs series.
"Brief" is the operative word. Babies can sit on mom's lap successfully for ten minutes without it becoming too long for baby and a struggle for mom. The idea is to make Circle Time entirely pleasurable for everyone, and 10 to 15 minutes seems about right.
In part two, I'll write about how we've revitalized our Circle Time, and how even the almost-13-year-old is once again enjoying our time.
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Grace and RSV
Related Blogs
I recently noticed that Bloglines has a "related blogs" feature where they recommend blogs to readers based upon their subscriptions. The blogs recommended to readers of Preschoolers and Peace are:
http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/
Encouraging and Equipping Women in their God-given Roles and Confronting the Lies of Modern Feminism
http://www.biblicalwomanhoodonline.com/blog.htm
http://thesparrowsnest.typepad.com/the_sparrows_nest/
Family life commentary by Amy Scott.
http://humblemusings.com
Everyday cooking inspiration! Tammy's Recipes is a Christian website aimed at edifying and assisting chefs with wholesome meal suggestions. Every meal is tested by us and our chefs, rated, and has pictures to help you determine if it is the right meal for you! We hope you enjoy your visit here. Feel free to sign up for our RSS feed, vote in polls, and join our community!
http://www.tammysrecipes.com
evangelical Christian • homeschooling mother of five • gardener • seamstress • lover of all things domestic • and sometime attorney
http://pleasantviewschoolhouse.blogspot.com/
A Collection of thoughts, observations, ideas and memories, designed for women who want to be full time homemakers and do it beautifully.
http://homeliving.blogspot.com/
Good stewardship in action. How do you do it?
http://frugalhacks.com
http://www.moneysavingmom.com/
Sit down, relax, and read... In the left hand column are some articles, my reading list, and some other things you may find of interest. The main column is where you'll see my daily (except for Sundays) updates and posts. Welcome to my home on the net.
http://myblessedhome.blogspot.com/
Montessori megamom serves up smorgasbord of parenting, cultural, political, and spiritual wisdom. Because she can.
http://www.mommylife.net/
A blog for thoughts on family, faith, nature, crafts, poetry, learning and life ...
http://dawnathome.typepad.com/by_sun_and_candlelight/
"Listening to my life for whatever of meaning, of holiness, of God there may be in it to hear." ~Beuchner
http://holyexperience.blogspot.com/
http://lazydranch8.blogspot.com/
the methods and madness of one family of 10
http://inashoe.com
In the end, you'll find the journey was the destination.
http://justenjoythejourney.blogspot.com/
Education in the Heart of My Home
http://ebeth.typepad.com/reallearning/
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Contest Winner- Johanna Stanford's Books
Oh, I wish I could box these up and send them to every one of you! They are lovely.
Our winner is Anna, who said:
"My name is Anna and this gift would be incredible to win!!!! I love homeschooling because I love being with my kids. I love seeing the light bulb moments and all the "firsts." I love that I don't have to contend with the junk that my friends' kids come home with from school. I love that my kids are becoming best friends and that they love to spend time together. I love that we can go on vacation on the off season and that we can stay up late on weeknights if we so desire! I really do love home schooling!"
Anna, email me your address and I'll send them out ASAP! |
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Beat Winter Burn Out!
• Take a week off from academics and focus on skills like woodworking, cooking, baking, sewing, drawing, knitting, crafts, gardening, computer, shooting, knife-throwing, archery, etc.
Some helpful websites for skill-building:
http://heartsandtrees.blogspot.com (Homeschool graduate shares all kinds of wonderful and do-able ideas. Her kits are nicely done and inexpensive, but you don’t have to spend a dime to get ideas from her blog.)
http://cp.c-ij.com/english/3D-papercraft/index.html (Great free downloads to print out and let the kids create.)
http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/meandmygirl/ (A mom’s blog with neat ideas from snow cones to basic crafting skills. Aimed at the elementary crowd.)
http://www.biglearning.com/treasurewoodworking.htm (Basic wordworking tips, tutorials, and info for kids.)
http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/howtodraw.html (Free step-by-step drawing lessons.)
http://www.copper-tree.ca/garden/index.html (Kids’ gardening, from planning to harvest.)
http://www.knifethrowing.info/ (General knife-throwing site.)
You can also order a knife-throwing DVD and practice knife from the Vision Forum link on the sidebar.
• Take a hiatus from formal science and explore nature together. Early spring is the perfect time to get out for a drive to see the blossoms, splash in the creek, pack a picnic lunch and explore a pond, or venture to the foothills where you can photograph or paint the landscape and animals.
Some helpful websites for nature study:
www.treasureboxpress.com/catalog/item/3107126/2842429.htm#image_1
http://heartsandtrees.blogspot.com/2008/02/indoor-nature-study-idea-tabletop.html
www.backyardnature.net
• Get out in the yard and play! Forget all the game rules you knew as a kid? Try this site:
http://familyfun.go.com/games/indoor-outdoor-games/specialfeature/summer-games-june/index.html?CMP=NL_Wkdr
• Implement an afternoon tea time. This can be really simple-- serve tea and hot chocolate, apple slices, cheese cubes, and store-bought cookies.
• Build forts in the family room and let the kids do their school work inside. Give them a shoe box for a mailbox and write each other notes.
• Plan a restaurant for dinner. Make a menu, assign everyone a task (waiter, sous chef, etc.) and surprise dad when he gets home.
• Send the older kids on a treasure hunt. Not as difficult as it sounds! Make clues the night before and make the prizes be breakfast, a run to 7-11 for Slurpees, choosing a chore to skip for the day, extra free time.
• Declare “Board Game Day” and set up tournaments with the ultimate winner getting to choose dessert.
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