Field Day 2014

After directing Field Day for the past few years for our homeschooling co-op, it was nice to take a year off this year since the kids had field day at their new school.  The kids' gymnastics training over the past year really paid off for them on Field Day, for they brought home lots of ribbons.

My daughter had sprained her thumb while playing basketball a few days before, so we had wrapped her hand to give her comfort and possibly provide a little stability and support to the thumb.  The event that was most challenging for her with her hand wrapped was the jump rope because she could barely hold the rope.  Nevertheless, she placed in every other event, but as competitive as she is, she was not happy with the third place ribbon for the class competition.

Her fierce competitiveness is something to see, and I fear she inherited that trait from me.  The passion on her face in the following photos is priceless.  We are working on tempering that competitive spirit with a desire to encourage others and see them win, too.  And we were quite pleased with the way she has been encouraging her friends, particularly with regard to the honor roll, as they sought to achieve honors higher than she would reach this year.  Nevertheless, the look on her face in these pictures shows a passionate desire to win.  When asked what her favorite memory was from this past year at the new school, she said, "Field Day was my best memory because I got to play with my friends and did not have to wear the school uniform all day."

She won first place in frisbee throw, obstacle course, and sack race,  second place in broad jump, and third place in sports skills.  Her class came in third for the class event.

Our son is athletic also, but he is more interested in having a good time and doesn't fret so much over whether he wins or loses, which is a bonus in our home where the firstborn is so fiercely competitive.

I was tickled to see him doing the sack race (lower left photo in collage above) against the girl who has been sweet on him since his first day of school.

I think he liked her too!

Joy Prom 2014

For the past 10 years our church has been hosting a Joy Prom for the adult special needs community. The event has become so popular that our special needs ministry team has helped churches across our area and around the nation start up their own annual joy proms as well.  Since my daughter has demonstrated a clear gifting in special needs ministry work through our service together in the Access Ministry at church, I wanted her to join me this year, during our 10th anniversary, as a volunteer at the prom.  She did fabulously and amazed me with her outgoing nature and clean dance moves.  We were trained to just do whatever our hosts were doing on the dance floor, and she sure did catch on quickly.  I am always blessed at these events because of the way these people love each other, love God, and live joyfully without the self consciousness that restrains so many of us from living life to the fullest..  I'm thinking the Dancing with the Stars crew needs to come to our next Joy Prom if they want to see real, unbridled talent and dancing glee.

The prom had a circus theme so volunteers were supposed to wear either circus or prom attire.  My daughter wanted to wear her gymnastics leotard (the one that barely covers her torso and cost over $500 because competitive athletic wear companies delight it ripping off parents) and calling herself a trapeze artist, but I insisted it was too immodest, so she should wear a dressy dress.  She resisted, for she is a strong willed child, so I told her if she wanted to wear the leo, she had to wear a dress over it.  That was our silly compromise, and she certainly did carry out the theme.  I tried to merge the circus and prom themes together as well by wearing a circus animal print party dress.

My daughter was thrilled to see two of her closest friends there volunteering as well.  We enjoyed spending time with the fellow pictured at the lower right in the collage above.  His caregiver had a very nice English or South African accent and was so very kind and appreciative of our help.  We escorted him through all the many stations (dinner, professional photography, face painting, cotton candy, popcorn, and dancing) while she took a rare moment to relax in our caregiver suite (aka the "Ringmaster Room").

Look at my girl (top 2 right photos) getting down!

Our close friend (top right in collage above) was asked to dance many times by that older gentleman.  Her husband stood behind her chuckling at her predicament, for these guests of all ages tend to gravitate toward the attractive blonds.  The couple pictured at the lower right in the collage above also spent some time with us.  That man was so sweet as he carried that corsage through every station while looking for his sweetheart. He finally saw her on the dance floor, and I got to help him put it on her.  They danced up front the entire night without ever seeming to grow tired.   The lady pictured above at the middle left side had a smile that could light up the darkest dungeon.  She loved seeing herself pictured on the big screens via live video feed.  Elaborate balloon sculptures adorned the entire first floor lobby, banquet hall, dance floor, and reception area.  Volunteers spent long days every day the week before the event making these sculptures.  Our favorites were the animal cage and trapeze artists suspended from the ceiling of the dining hall.  The event was a huge success, and the dancing provided amusement  I will not easily forget.

Charles Brings Back 80's Breakdancing Again This Year

See My 10-Year-Old Dance

 (She's in the turquoise dress up front)

"Mayday..Mayday!" - Manic Days of May

I thought we were super busy when we closed on our new home, moved into a new house, cleaned out the apartment, unloaded 3 storage units, performed in 3 out of 4 showings of our church's spectacular Christmas musical, packed suitcases and boarded a plane for a week in Oklahoma all during the weekend before Christmas. But most of the month of May felt like a series of weekends like that moving weekend. All the activities were fun and exciting and great causes for celebration, but...SERENITY now, please.

I know we do our kids a disservice when we get too busy, for we are teaching them that life and happiness are about hyperactivity, when true joy and peace are found in the quiet places with God and with each other. A life well lived requires taking time to know God and cherish each other.  The moments of stillness hold more value than all the activities and opportunities we want our kids to have.  Finding that balance is such a challenge for me.  When the balance gets the least bit off, everything falls apart in my parenting.  Holy Father, please show me when to say "yes" and when to say "no".   Help me be still and quiet enough to hear Your voice without growing lethargic or apathetic to opportunities for pouring myself out as a living sacrifice unto you. Make me a sponge that is always absorbing your love, grace, and truth while simultaneously squeezing it out for the edification of others.
 

"When the world strives — the wise still. It’s the only way to feel God’s embrace.....There’s no need to keep up with the Joneses when you are keeping company with Jesus." - Ann Voskamp

Most of my recent posts have been highlighting all the fun and busy activities we've been up to this past month.  For this post, I want to remind myself of the less dramatic, quieter moments this past month which have sustained us between all the big events.  Here are a few glimpses of those moments:

• Helping some very dear friends, who sold their last home and moved into an apartment the same weeks we experienced those same events last year, move into a new home after much searching and waiting was therapeutic (despite the small amount of physical labor involved). We know what it feels like to wait...and wait...and to lose deals...over and over....and to wait some more...wondering what God has in store and when we will ever feel settled...realizing all the while that this world is not our home so we should never really feel settled in this life.  It was refreshing to see them move in and start a series of new beginnings, for God is certainly in the business of making all things new. (Gift #601) Their large heavily wooded lot is so tranquil with lots of decks and porches in the back for soaking in all of God's glorious handiwork in nature.  Seeing God provide exactly what one needs most in His perfect timing encourages my faith and reminds me of His sovereignty.

• There is nothing quite like roasting marshmallows over an open fire at a Y Princess reunion to refresh the heart and to remember that the greatest joys are in the simple things of life.  I love watching my girl delight more in relationships, nature, and simplicity than in material possessions. (Gift #602)

• I usually let cosmetic and hair care go by the waste side when life gets too busy, but I did squeeze in a hair cut this past month, and I am amazed by how much that simple pampering (oh, if only someone else could wash my hair for me every week!) and short time of stillness soothes me.  It helps that my hairdresser is like minded in the faith (and in politics) and inspires me to set goals and pursue my dreams.  By her life example, she inspires others to thrive, not just survive.  (Gift #603)  I had a few bangs cut in for the first time, and the kids did not even recognize me when I picked them up from school that afternoon.  I'm guessing the fact that my hair was actually combed and blown straight threw them off more than the bangs, however. 

Hey kids! It's me, Mom!  Don't you recognize me?

• It seems that whenever the pace of life has gotten completely out of control and my soul is screaming, "Rest!", dear church friends host an event at their tranquil farm where my racing mind is stilled and my burned-out soul is filled. They shared their home, animals, fields, pond, trampoline, pavilion, freshly roasted BBQ pork, other outdoor amusements, and amazing hospitality with 130+ of us this afternoon & evening after hosting 160+ men and children all morning and early afternoon! They are always living out 1 Peter 4:8-10 for the glory of God, and I am so grateful!  (Gift #604)

My cell phone pics

Photo Collage by Farm Owners

⁸ Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.⁹ Be hospitable to one another without complaint.¹⁰ As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  (1 Peter 4:8-10)

• Slowing down to do some fishing at Willow Hill Farm with an old bamboo fishing rod the kids received as favors at their cousin's fishing themed birthday party conjures up nostalgic feelings and an appreciation for the simple things.  And I just love to watch my boy catch fish. (Gift #605)  His smile gets me every time.

• A bean bag toss game with friends at the same farm has a similar effect.

• And fresh wildflowers on the table...well, it's all good medicine to me.  Thank you, Father, for placing those flowers in the hostesses' path, so Your colorful handiwork could brighten our day! (#606)

• Slowing down to read an inspirational book during the brief moments of quiet each morning has helped me regain an eternal perspective during the hectic days.  I especially appreciated the following reminder this month from Gloria Furman's book, Treasuring Christ When Your Hands are Full.  (Gift #607)

When the cries of your little children keep you up at night or wear on your nerves, be encouraged that those cries silence the enemy who hates God, life, and all He has made. (Psalm 8:2) Satan seeks to maim, kill, and destroy, but those helpless cries testify of God's continuing work and great power over him. God chose the weak to shame the strong. (1 Corinthians 1:27)

• For each of the past three moves, we've always planted two rose bushes, one for each of our children. And each time, our firstborn's rose bush has bloomed first. Our daughter's rose bush  bloomed during the last week of May.  The first bloom was small, but we just planted the bush a few weeks ago, so I'll take it.  (Gift #608)

• I did some shopping for my girl recently (I guess I'm becoming her personal assistant just as my mother is still my personal shopping assistant). She left me her wallet (aka i-gadget case) with a note instructing me to go buy another BFF necklace for a new friend (though it seemed to me like a betrayal to be giving BFF necklaces to multiple gal pals).  She even offered to let me spend whatever is left on her gift card on myself, and so I did! But what really caught my eye is that she had inserted a photo of her father doing what he loves, singing with our church praise team, inside the clear plastic piece intended for her i-Touch. I love the fact that she is so proud of her father (Gift #609) and that he consistently lives in such a way as to merit such pride.  (Gift #610)

• While sometimes I miss the wooded landscapes and the larger lots we owned previously when we lived along a fairway and outside of town, the views here along the greenway aren't bad either, and the convenience simply can't be beat. The long, arduous journey to our new home has taught me to look for God's handiwork and to be thankful wherever I am and in whatever circumstances He leads me. (Gift # 611)

I crave slower, less hectic days because they allow me to recharge, think more deeply, observe my children more carefully, and listen to what they say with more focused attention.   Some of the those amusing "gifts" I received during the slower moments the week after the kids' last day of school are recounted below:

• My kids are so thoughtful. Not only did they let me sleep in one morning, but the 7-year-old proudly announced that he even saved his dad and me some blueberries and milk for breakfast. Inside the fridge, I found 2 blueberries, one for each of us, and 2 drops of milk.   I chuckled that he left so little, but I rejoice that he thought of me before every last morsel was gone.  (Gift #612)

Philippians 2:4
do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others

• I observed a funny parenting paradox that week as well.  Isn't it funny how kids are too short to put clothes back into their closets or to put clean dishes into the cabinets, but when there is tasty snack hidden on the back of the top shelf of the pantry, eight feet off the ground, they always manage to find a way to retrieve it?
   
• During a quieter moment in May, I overheard the kids define one of their secret code words, so I'll let you in on the secret, too.  When they say "M&M", they are referring to a  "mushy moment" between their dad and me. They say they like chocolate M&M's but Mom and Dad's M&M's are grose. Well...I think our M&M's are one of the healthiest things we have in our home, for they are providing security and stability that the kids do not fully appreciate because they have never been without it. As one who writes a health column and teaches PE for fun, let me share my best best health tip for married couples: "Have more M&Ms!"   I am thankful that they have noticed the way their mom and dad care for one another, even if they tease us about it.  (Gift #613)  At Great Wolf Lodge they teased us again saying, "We're going to go on another quest with our wand.  You two sit here by the fire and hold hands for your M&M".

• During the calmer moments, I have enjoyed looking through the piles of school projects the kids brought home on the last day of school. (Gift #614)  While looking through a book my son made at school about the life of Jesus, my daughter told him that his picture of the Lord's Supper was inaccurate because the disciples did not sit in chairs. Instead, they would have reclined on the floor while eating at a low table. So, with cultural accuracy in mind, we all flipped through the rest of the book to the ascension of Christ only to find an escalator running from earth to Heaven, complete with an escalator control panel off to the right side.  I love the way he is already thinking like an engineer.  His drawings delight me.  

• Since I did not have to get up early to rush the kids to school, I slept in late a lot the week after school let out.  Catching up on sleep helped recharge my exercise regimen.  And I got the biggest chuckle while doing a strenuous HIIT plyo workout that week because whenever I would do a big jump, the smoke detector right outside our fitness room would chirp.  I assumed the batteries needed replacing (although our house is only 6 months old), but once my workout was complete, the chirping ceased.  Perhaps all the jumping shook the house and unsettled the smoke detector, but it sure was funny feeling like you were burning it up so hard in the fitness center that you set off of the smoke alarm.  The chirping certainly motivated me to workout harder.  It felt so good to feel well rested for a change...at least for that one week before all the summer activities began.  (Gift #615)

• The social media custom, Throwback Thursday, has been a gift for me as well since looking back reminds me of God's goodness.  (Gift #616)   When life isn't so hectic, I find time to post throwback pictures.  Here is one I posted in May after our daughter brought authentic Cherokee bean cornbread to school and gave a presentation about the Cherokee Nation for Nations Day at school.  She was supposed to present about her ethnic heritage, and the Cherokee sliver fascinates her most.

 

• Seeing the following throwback photo of my husband and his brother posted by his mom for Memorial Day in honor of her two veteran sons had me in stitches.  How I love old photos and men who serve their country so honorably. (Gift #617) And I guess the kids' assumptions were right! Their daddy is an undercover super hero, and apparently his secret hero work began at an early age.

Their mom says they wore out several pairs of tights and leotards as super heroes.

•  I walked into the house after running errands one Saturday morning to see fresh pancakes in the kitchen, new paint on a ceiling, and my husband on a ladder installing a ceiling fan while listening to opera (Carmina Burana) blasting through his surround sound speakers. I think I married a renaissance man, and I like it!  (Gift #618)

• The kids asked me to explain the many different ways we pay taxes. When I finished, the 7-year old asked me an extremely bizarre and unexpected question, "So do women who abort their babies pay a death tax on that child?"  I explained why the death tax would not apply, but his idea does remind me of the Affordable Care Act. You are free to refuse insurance (or in this case, you could choose to refuse life for your child) but if you refuse, you will be taxed to death.  Sadly, that idea could help eliminate much of our nation's insane debt load if actually used it to pay down the debt instead of being used to fund pork projects that are doomed to fail (like  Solyndra).  I wish my son did not know about such unpleasant topics at such a young age, but I'm glad the subject gripped his heart in a way that will make him more passionate to fight for life than in a way that we are seeing with Common Core curricula which seems to be trying to harden the heart and deaden the senses to such atrocities in subtle, sneaky ways.

• I've always been a strong supporter of letting natural consequences train your children instead of being a helicopter parent who swoops in and rescues the child from the natural results of his/her own wrong doings. When parenting speakers would laugh while describing how this works, however, I thought the chuckles to be a little heartless, but not anymore. When one or both of our kids has been  too lazy to put away the clean clothes that I diligently washed, dried, folded and/or hung for them using the soap, electricity and hot water their daddy works hard to provide, they just tossed the clean clothes into their dirty clothes hamper rendering them dirty again instead of putting them away properly in their closet and dresser. So, when a kid did not have a clean uniform to wear to school one day, the look on that pitiful face made me giggle. I'm thinking we won't be having that problem again and that I won't be the only one doing the laundry anymore!   What could have been a frustrating moment for me was viewed as a gift because I am able to see long term benefits WHEN I slow down and am intentional in my parenting.  (Gift #619)

• I've been trying to get the kids to think before they speak by practicing the TALK principle with them. That is, before you speak, ask yourself, is it True, Appropriate, Loving, and Kind?  After scoring 0 out of about 10 attempts to speak correctly, one kid said, "I give up. I'm not going to say anything at all." Viola! I may have a mute kid, but no one is bickering anymore.  That lasted for almost 20 minutes!  Now if only I could model that principle for them better than I do. So we all keep clinging to His grace.  I'm so thankful for his merciful grace.

Celebrating a Decade of Motherhood

This year I celebrated my 10th Mother's Day as a mom, and it was one of the best yet. My son kicked off Mother's Day weekend with this Mother's Day gift which he made at school.  It has to be the most awesome flower I have ever received.

Honey, I shrunk the kid!

On my first Mother's Day as a mom with a newborn, we dedicated our daughter at church followed by a family celebration.  10 years later, my daughter, mom, spiritual mom and I all celebrated together again at a formal high tea at our church. I hosted a table, but my mother and daughter helped tremendously with all the table preparations.

The saying is true, "The days are long, but the years go by so fast. "  It seems like I blinked and 10 years went by.  What a blessing it has been to be a daughter of such an amazing woman (Gift #594) and a mother to such a talented, loving, and kind daughter (Gift #595). 

When I was in college, I had the privilege of calling someone else "Mom" along with hundreds of others students who looked to this godly woman for spiritual nurture and Biblical wisdom.  I felt a special connection with her, for we were both adopted into loving homes through closed adoption, both have similar spiritual gifts, and both had similar passions and goals in life.  She and her husband poured their lives, hearts, time, wallets, and their home into the college ministry at our church hosting hundreds of people each week for dinner, prayer, teaching, and worship.  Oh how I love this sweet couple who still welcome me with open arms and big hugs whenever I drop by to visit.  It was a special privilege to have my Titus 2 mom sitting beside me at the mother/daughter High Tea held by the women's ministry at my church (Gift #596

"Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored." (Titus 2:3-5)

As a former buyer and Vice-President for an upscale retail store who now works as an interior designer, she appreciates a nice presentation and always pulls out her best table decor and newly polished silver for guests.  So, it was a pleasure to be the one serving her for a change (Gift #597).

What a saint my precious mother has been to me all these years.  When she found out I would be hosting a table at this tea, she insisted on sharing her more colorful floral china for our table.  The other guests at our table loved it.  Instead of letting me serve her, she helped me tremendously in greeting guests, making sure the table looked just right, and cleaning up afterwards. I'm not sure my mother knows how to be served, for she is always up and about taking care of everyone else's needs.  What a gift her servant heart has been to so many over the years! (Gift #598)

I really appreciated that special time with my daughter that morning (Gift #599).  She is usually a typical tomboy with her hair uncombed or pulled back into a low pony tail and donning unkempt sporty clothes.  She made a special effort that morning, however, to look really nice for the tea party, and I was shocked that she chose such an old fashioned, feminine dress for the event.  And she was an amazing helper with all the hosting.  She served happily without complaint.  It was a Mother's Day miracle (Gift #600).  I jest, for she is a sweet daughter, but the gift is in realizing how pleasant our time can be together when we slow down, look into each others eyes, and simply take time to treasure one another.

So our professional portraits were not very flattering at all, but I cannot blame the photographer for that. It is what it is when one reaches her 40s. I think the natural sunlight accented our imperfections, and Mom wasn't happy about her glasses looking dark for the pictures, but that's what they were designed to do in bright sunlight.  The invitations, program, and table decor were all so lovely and creative.  All the many committees involved in this event put so much thought and artistic talent into the details to make the tea party so beautiful and delightful.

They even made sure that each child attending received a boa, tiara, goodie bag, crayons, and activity place mat designed by yet another committee.  My daughter made sure that Nana and I each got a chance to wear her tiara.

The next morning, the kids "just happened" to pick out outfits that coordinated with mine, so we had to take a Mother's Day photo even if I did give my flat iron the day off for Mother's Day.  What gifts these children are.  Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of being called "Mom".

Psalm 127:3

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Piano Recital

Our family had lots of changes with regard to piano lessons this past year.  Our daughter quit taking piano lessons this past summer, much to our dismay.  We have invested a fortune in three years of lessons for her so that she could take from the premier Suzuki piano teacher in the area.  I drove 30-45 minutes each way through rush hour traffic every week for private lessons, monthly group lessons, two competitions a year, and two recitals a year.  She reached the big milestone of giving a book one recital all by herself completely from memory.  After book one, the practice becomes more fun as students branch out into other music, but she refused to keep practicing, and the battles between her and us over practicing became more than any of us could stand, so we let her quit with the hope that she would miss it.

Then we sold our house and moved into an apartment in another suburb.  We did not want to pay to move the piano, nor did we have room for it in the apartment, so we sold it. We found a new teacher only a few miles from the apartment whose husband taught Greek at the kids' new school.  Two of her children ended up being enrolled in the same classes that our children would attend at the new school.  She had just moved to the area as well and was transitioning from homeschooling to private Christian school as we were, so we had much in common. However, she did not teach Suzuki method. Moreover, she does not approve of Suzuki methods at all, so we were initially at odds on that issue but decided a different teaching approach may be beneficial at this point, and frankly, we just needed something simpler for our family now that our daughter was doing competitive gymnastics at a gym an hour away.

However, our son could only practice on my very old electronic keyboard, so those lessons taken without having a real piano for practicing at home were probably not worth the investment.  After we moved into the new house, moved Mom and Dad's piano to our new home and got it tuned a few times, however, his progress accelerated, and he seems to enjoy music a lot more now, though he still does not feel comfortable on stage like his sister.  He's more like me in that regard.

Instead of holding piano recitals at a church like my piano teacher always did or renting out a music store where the kids played on six figure grand pianos on a stage in a mini concert hall, this new teacher holds her recitals at rest homes.  The pianos there aren't the best, but the residents certainly seem to enjoy hearing the little ones perform. Our son played three songs, which was the most anyone played, with much expression.  I love to watch him play because he bobs his head an taps his feet in rhythm with the music as though he is really enjoying the music while he plays.

He wasn't the only one tapping his toes.  Several of the residents seated in front of us kept their feet tapping and heads bobbing through every song whose title included the word "Boogie".   They were so cute to watch.

Residents beat out boogie rhythms with their feet.

After the recital, our daughter began practicing her old music pieces every day.  She even performed a piano piece from the previous year by memory for a talent show at school.  The look on her face in the following photo shows how much she did not like forfeiting the limelight to her brother this year.  She may consider taking piano lessons again, but I'm not sure when she would find time to practice with 9-12 hours a week at the gym, demanding school work, gymnastics meets, and all the other church and Bible study activities on her plate.

I'm so glad Nana and Pops drove into town for the recital.   They came to see us three times that week for the musical on Sunday, the recital on Friday evening, and the Mother's Day tea on Saturday morning.  They are such supportive troopers.  We enjoyed having them join us for a celebratory dinner out after the recital.


Here are some of our customary, obligatory family photos taken after his recital:

Play us a song, you're the piano man!

The star musician with his biggest fans!

Girl's adventures at the new school

Our daughter began attending a new (to us) private Christian school on August 1, 2014.  She did not like it all at first, for it is very structured and tailored toward audio sequential learners who are organized and studious like her mama. Her last school was tailored toward creative visual spatial learners, so she really thrived there where structure was optional even to the point that kids could take tests while standing on their heads if they so choose.

She ended up with the toughest teacher in the school.  That teacher was most picky about handwriting, and it seemed no matter how hard our daughter tried, she would still fail penmanship.  The school's goal is to teach students to pursue excellence and attention to detail in all things because that is what sets apart the mediocre from the truly successful, so the grading, particularly in the early grades, is tough.  As a straight A student who was so far ahead at her last school that they skipped her a grade (and recommended 2 grades) and as student repeating material she had years ago (we held her back this year so she could go through school with kids her own age instead of skipping a grade), however, she became quickly exasperated.

As an example, here are two recent samples of her handwriting.  She received a grade of 73 on one paper for penmanship, and an 88, her highest grade thus far, on the other one.  Can you tell which one got which grade?

I couldn't, but my handwriting is horrid since I usually use a keypad, so I had several conferences with her teacher to try to figure out how I could help her. With every conference, however, I left without any hope of her grades improving.  The Bible exhorts,  "Fathers do not exasperate your children", but we could not control the school, and I was tempted to pull her out.   I'm not usually a helicopter parent by any means, but I could not understand why this teacher kept beating my daughter down over something so petty. The public schools do not even teach cursive anymore!  Our daughter hasn't really learned much new knowledge this past year except in Latin 2, but her ability to sit still, slow down, really give her best with each assignment, control her impulses, pay attention to detail, carefully check her work for careless errors, and write legibly have all improved considerably!  I find it interesting that while she was repeating a grade in all subjects except Latin, her best subject was Latin 2, and she had not even had Latin 1 yet except for some brief prep work we did together during July in the midst of moving and home building.  However, Latin was taught by a different teacher than her regular subject for most of the other academic subjects, so the difference in grading must be somewhat dependent upon the teacher.

  

She has begged to be homeschooled repeatedly and complained all year long about the school rules and harsh grading, yet pictures taken by parents while volunteering at the school tell a different story. She has made lots of wonderful new friends.  She has grown in her faith and her character as she has been severely humbled academically, and she has made some really great memories.  I made the scrapbook pages below so she'll remember her happier experiences at school.

Art is one of her favorite subjects.

Art with Mrs. Booth, Latin with Mrs. Manchester, and reading in homeroom while a boy pretends to sleep

My girl is a competitive little tomboy who continues to surprise me with her athleticism.  She played hard during every recess period (and I love how this school provides several recess periods a day), and sought to beat all the boys, not just the girls, in P.E.  That girl...I'm not sure where she gets that competitive drive (sarcasm is dripping).  Thankfully, she is growing, slowly but surely, in her ability to play on a team and encourage her teammates, but I'm not sure I've ever seen a girl who likes to win quite as much as she does.

She enjoyed science, too!  She wants to be a veterinarian, so I guess it's no surprise that the process of collecting, mounting, and identifying insects did not gross her out like it would me.  While I hated this project because it consumed all my Tupperware and occupied much of my freezer and counter space for months, I love the way this school does not allow parents to help with papers or projects.  All work must be done by the student alone.

Chorus with Mrs. Cook is probably her favorite subject of all.  Mrs. Cook, the headmaster's wife, is super sweet, and our girl has always enjoyed singing.  I love to watch her dramatic expressions as she sings with all her heart.

I really like way this school builds relationships across grades instead of isolating each of the grades.  Homeschooling taught me how important it is to avoid socializing with only people your own age because that does not provide a real world experience at all.  School is the only place where people are grouped together in a room with people all their same age, and who really wants his or her child to be primarily socialized by a bunch of rowdy, immature kids?  Homeschooled children tend to be more mature than school children for that reason.  Her last school incorporated multi-age classrooms while having older students help out in younger students class to build that family style unity across grades.  There was no superiority complex among the upperclassmen in the way they treated the younger students, for they were like family and readily acknowledged that all are equally valuable in God's sight.  

One way they build bridges between grades at this school is through mentoring.  Older students are paired with younger students.  And younger students serve as mentors to kindergarteners through the Kinderbuddies reading program. Our daughter would expressively read books to her kinderbuddy, Lily, who shared a similar creative, imaginative bent.  They exchanged gifts and became fast friends.

She enjoyed bringing in traditional Cherokee bean cornbread for Nations Day, and a trip to the planetarium is always a fun time.

I was really impressed with our daughter's initiative this year with the school outreach project for Stop Hunger Now.  Step one was raising funds to buy the meals the kids would be packing later in the month. She knocked on every door in the neighborhood to ask for support and kept coming back to each house until someone was at home and answered the door.  She raised over $250 for Stop Hunger Now.  She had a blast packing the meals with her class.  The entire school purchased and packed over 100,000 meals for the hungry.

She did really well in history this year as they learned about one battle after another.

It does seem like history this past year was nothing but a series of wars.  The kids certainly enjoyed all the reenactments.  My husband thinks it's all good, though, because it is teaching them the true cost of liberty.  May we preserve and protect it, for it was bought at a price. As the progressives in our country continue to despise, disrespect, and dismantle our hard won freedoms, we must continue the fight of our founding fathers.  I pray my children will stand bravely for liberty and all else that is good and right.