I've been re-reading my Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola, a veritable wealth of insights, inspiration, and principles for applying Charlotte Mason's educational philosophies to our everyday homeschooling lives.  One of the assertions she makes is that no matter what our curriculum choices are, everyday a well brought up child should have:  someone or something to love, something to do, and something to think about.   Here are some ways I've tried to cultivate these ideas in our lives this week. 

Something to Love

This little kitty wandered into (or was planted on) our property recently.  It has stuck around seemingly wanting to make our home his as well.  hmm....well at least it is getting some TLC and attention.

Something to Do

Yesterday I had the children peel potatoes for the creamy potato soup we had at dinner.  They so enjoy using the peelers and helping with dinner preparation.  I think it is vitally important to delegate things to children not only for their advancement in skills, but also for their growing understanding that they are a valued and useful part of the family team...this is an important source of healthy not narcissistic self-esteem.

Something to Think About

We've been delighted to watch a family of Killdeer out on the side of our yard.  They made their gravelly nest right on the ground.  If danger approaches in the form of a predator or curious mom, the parent bird "lures" her away with his famous "injured wing" display.  He tricks one into following him some distance from the nest, acting like a wounded bird, then gets up and flies away. 

These are the eggs...so well camouflaged they are difficult to find and revisit.

Only two days ago we discovered the eggs had hatched into the most adorable four fluffy chicks.  Our study on this bird family has given us lots of wondering and research inspiration.  Such a remarkable manifestation of our Maker's creativity!

    This was such a bummer though:  We took a great photo of the chicks after Mama & Papa did their luring away act.  But I accidentally formatted my camera and erased them!  We haven't seen them since (the pictures or the family!)  They disappeared alltogether.  But these babies are comparable to 2 week old robins when they are born.  They are able to run and follow the parents very soon after birth, so I don't assume the worst.  We hope they are out there somewhere all one happy family! 

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Posted by dawilli

I've been reading that book again too, and trying to incorporate it's message into my brain enough to apply the great insights to our lives. I love your very real examples, it's great to see things "fleshed out" like that.
I've been so swamped here lately, but I am looking forward to spending a little more time blogging again soon! Would you believe that I waited until 10 days before my sister's wedding to get going on the shrug I'm knitting for her to wear over her dress during the reception?!?! (I'm sure you would if you knew me very well! Why do I do this to myself?!) So I'll be knitting several hours a day for the next 8 days to finish on time... my poor family! They'll have to fend for themselves for the next week...
Oh well, we'll all get through it... and my baby sister will be married... (shrug or no shrug)
Anyway, I would definitely recommend Debbie Bliss' "Learn to Knit"- it's the book I refer to most, her diagrams are great, and her descriptions are very well-written... I like her book better than my Vogue reference book... my one caution would be- if you are the type to go a bit overboard and take up new hobbies with a passion, you may unleash a monster... as I did... but it has also opened up some pretty great opportunities for me... so it turned out to be a nice little monster for me... (except for this week's crazy time crunch of a project)
Anyway, I really have to go knit some more before getting everybody ready to head back to church for another revival meeting...
have a good one,
ali

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Posted by hskubes

I am reading through this book for the first time and love it. It's completely me and I never even knew! I wish I would have read it seven years ago (or sooner).
I love how you applied what you read. What precious times! I love the photos.

~ Christina
HsKubes' HomeSchool Haven

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Posted by quietcajun

I love The Charlotte Mason Companion. I have been selling lots of my books to fund our trip to Oklahoma for my dh's reversal and I seriously considered posting that one and could not bear to part with it! (It survived the cut!)

I really appreciated your comment about not feeding the children's narcissistic (did I spell that even close to right?) natures... I have fallen down in making my children work up until yesterday. I read an article in No Greater Joy about a 2 1/2 year old and a 16 month old who work at home and they looked so happy in the photos... I remembered how much happier my children are when they are being productive and set them back at the old routine right away and already am seeing happy contented children this evening!

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Posted by Dana

Funny how something new hits you each time you read through it. Sometimes I think the Lord keeps my eyes closed to an idea until I can handle it. Or else I think would implode. Great pictures - I had to look up Killdeer. What a great place to live - to have them living in your own backyard.
Colorado looked beautiful - it was our pick for the honeymoon 12 years ago.
I enjoy your blog and have for awhile. Your children are adorable!
Dana

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Posted by sonshine4u

I am also reading through that book. Although this is my first time around. I really needed the reminder of those things and to see them fleshed out. Sometimes I feel that I get too stressed out about not hitting all the subjects everyday...Charlotte is such a breath of fresh air and I am so looking forward to schooling more like her!

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Posted by nsremom

That book sounds great. It seems like Charlotte Mason was an amazing woman. Putting things we all might feel intuitively into beautiful prose. I just know how I feel and usually can't tell anyone what that is!
I might have to check out that book.

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Posted by amada

I like your post about things to love, think about, do, etc. (not in that order...:)
It's SO CM! I enjoy CM. It's good thinking, I should try and do those things too, although I probably do a lot w/o even thinking about it...

Anyway, the reason I'm stopping by was to let you know I posted my response to your comment in my blog under the same post (does that make sense?) It's kinda long, so I didn't want to post the whole thing here.
Here's an excerpt:
"I feel like by staying TV-less, we are preserving our family's simplicity/innocence and putting a price tag on our time. Our time is valuable, we don't want to waste it on TV. There are so many things to think, imagine, do, learn, write, dream and pray about! May God give us courage to do the unusual."

Thank you for your faithful visits to my blog. That is an encouragement! :)
Amy
Cajamarca, Peru

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Posted by kindredspiritMom

I love you post and pics. I have been thinking about that quote all week! :) It's one of my favorite homeschool books. It really simplifies everything so well. Well friend, I wish you a blessed and Happy Mother’s Day! I’m glad to be on the mothering journey with you.
Love and prayers,
KindredspiritMom

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Posted by blessedmom3

Your pictures are so sweet! I always enjoy reading your thoughts-- thank you for sharing. I have CMC too. That is one of the first books I bought when we starting hs'ing 7 years ago. It's still one of my favorites.
Wishing you a happy Mother's Day!
Blessings, Cheryl

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Posted by shallbe

Killdeer, huh? How facinating! I want a family in MY back yard (I'm whining, can you tell!?) I LOVE the interest you have in your kids lives. Not all mothers do, you know and man, can you tell the difference in their kid's spirits! YOURS are a delight to be around. Keep on doing such a great job and keep sharing your insights!

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Posted by daddysgirls

We had a killdeer out in our driveway for a time. I did not realizw that they built their nest in the rocks, until my 10 year old nephew told me. We wanted to get pictures but we were to scared to get close enough to her, she was alway in attack mode. The eggs finally hatched and the baby birds were too cute. We have not seen them for a couple of days.

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