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Thursday, February 4, 2010
Age of Extremes on our Coffee Table
Indeed one of the books in the book baskets is even titled Age of Extremes--an apt title for a book about such a varied era as the "Gilded Age" at the close of the 1800's.
We'll be studying more about child labor, strikes, the building of the Brooklyn Bridge and Andrew Carnegie. We'll dig a little deeper into our study of the Impressionistic painters and then head across the ocean to China and India through the lenses of Lottie Moon and Mary Slessor.
Immigration is another theme this unit. Through our reading we'll experience the wonder, uncertainty, hopes and hardships of those who crossed the sea to Ellis Island and other entry points.
Last, but absolutely not least, we have a feast of literature! There's a magic to the children's fiction of this era, and my PrairieFrogs are already engrossed in the rich delights of Heidi, The Secret Garden, The Little Princess, Treasure Island, the Jungle Book and a few other great classics.
The widget below shows the books we're enjoying:
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Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wordless Wednesday ~ Two of My Guys
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Lands' End and Elvis
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Kaira's been trying to round out her repertoire with some "vintage pop" songs that might be enjoyed by "her seniors" at the assisted living community.
She'll often ask me to find a recording of a new song so that she can get a feel for the flavor and style and stay true to the heritage of a particular piece. Today she asked if I could find a YouTube of "Blue Suede Shoes."
Within moments I had Elvis all loaded up for her. Rock isn't a genre that's ever captured her interest, so I was eager to see her reaction.
She watched in astounded fascination, and then said, "I don't see why people are so excited about him; it just sounds like stuff we hear in restaurants--but maybe it can help show how versatile harp is! I'll need to arrange it to emphasize the beats and rhythm... maybe I'll tap the sound board for a measure (like a drum) at the beginning... I guess he really loves his suede shoes. They must be from Lands' End--those are comfy."
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Saturday, January 23, 2010
The Girls Get Even
The last of the girls switched over to an even numbered age as Kendra celebrated her 8th birthday!
My "sunshine girl" didn't hesitate when asked what she'd like for her birthday meal. She'd obviously given the question forethought, and without skipping a beat rattled off, "GrilledSalmonBakedPotatoCornOnThe CobGreenBeansAndBlueberryTurnovers." Then she took a breath and I searched for paper and pencil to jot it all down.
A local bakery came to my rescue by making the turnovers, and Ken grilled the corn and salmon, so I got off easy.
I think "eight" suits her.
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Friday, January 22, 2010
The Boy is Odd
'Tis the season for ages to switch in our home. Some time back Kendra noticed (in her befuddling Kendra way) that for much of the year one gender was odd numbers while the other gender owns the evens.
Keegan might be odd, but he has excellent taste. He requested a birthday menu of lobster, pasta alfredo, peas and corn mix, and a dessert of cherry raspberry pie.
He also says that oatmeal tastes better now that he's five, and that he can do dishes faster. Five is a powerful number!
In addition to his excellent taste, I happen to think he's adorable. I'm partial.
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Thursday, January 21, 2010
I Might Be Back... Maybe, Sorta, I Think So.
Well, that was an unexpected blog sabbatical.
Life's been good, just busy, and my first focus these past weeks has been getting on course after the holidays. I'm delighted to say I've been successful in that goal! School, chores and other homey pursuits are back to their familiar pace. Unfortunately I'm slow to add back in the extras... like, um... blogging. Life has been busy and there's been so much to blog, but our recent weeks will have to remain unrecorded.
Rather than try to retro-blog, I'll just try to jump back in day-to-day again. I will make an exception to leap back in time to give a two special birthday glimpses. Stay tuned....
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Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wordless Wednesday ~ Adopting Great-Grands at Assisted Living
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Twas a Week Before Christmas
Today is actually Keegan's 5th birthday, but I can't blog his special day until I catch up on other important news! Amid the Christmas festivities, Keianna turned six years old!
Keianna Noelle is our little Christmas song, and an absolute delight. She selected a birthday meal of homemade meatballs and noodles (a favorite with all the children), acorn squash and apple snack cake.
Poor Kieran was confused by the proximity to Christmas. All through Advent we'd talked about celebrating Jesus birthday, so it entirely shook his world when we had candles, cake, and sang happy birthday to Keianna! All day long at each mention of 'Anna's birthday he'd get a bit agitated and exclaim, "No! Not 'Appy Birthday Anna! 'Appy Birthday JESUS!" Then he'd start humming the happy birthday tune, "Da da dada JESUS, dada da da JESUS."
For the full week between Keianna's birthday and Christmas Kieran kept pointing to decorations to confirm, "Dat candle fo (for) Baby Jesus?" I'll say yes, and he'll say, "'Anna NO 'appy birthday, Jesus 'appy birthday."


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Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Impressionists, Africa and Imperialization on the Coffee Table

Over the next three weeks our Tapestry studies take us into Africa, as we watch Europe's imperialization there and in India. Each of the girls are selecting people groups in modern Africa and will report to the family in three weeks time, educating us on several cultures for whom we can pray as the gospel continues to reach forth in our own day.
Our cultural studies will include literature by Rudyard Kipling and artist studies of the Impressionists. (Monet and Renoir have been some of my favorites since childhood, so many of their works are already familiar to the children because they are hanging on our walls!) (Alas, I don't happen to own a print of the painting pictured above. I love it because it is tied to both of my favorite painters of the era. It is a painting by Renoir, of Monet in his garden in Giverny)
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Sunday, January 3, 2010
Another Year is Dawning
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.
Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.
Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
Another year of training for holier work above.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.
Hymn by Frances R. Havergal, 1874
2009 was a full year--a bit overfull for my taste, and honestly keeping up was a bit of a challenge. It wasn't an easy year, but it was good.
Overall, it was a year of growth and blessings. I'm looking forward to finding better balance and scaling back just a notch in some areas (while doing more in others) in 2010.
At the start of the New Year I tend to tweak our daily schedule, moving around a few of the chores and re-working areas that have become bumpy over recent months. Keegan's excited to be the dishwasher unloader. He's taking his new job very seriously, and was up to speed after just one morning training session!
Tomorrow we begin our 2010 school year! Here's a glimpse at our day on paper--it feels more like a flow than rigid boxes when living it, and while it usually is very close to the paper version, it isn't static.

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Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wordless Wednesday: Harp and Hammers
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Wordless Wendnesday: Grandeur
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
More Derailment in Arizona
I've been so slow with blogging lately! The holiday season has us busy! (My photo host has also been giving me fits in uploading pictures. It is usually fabulous, so I'm spoiled.)
I finally managed to upload pictures, so we'll continue the play-by-play of our Arizona trip!


Over there:

And a then from "over there":


What a beautiful and awe inspiring sight. Pictures (at least my pictures) can't do the Grand Canyon justice.
As amazing as the natural wonder is, anywhere we go I enjoy watching people: the people were fascinating, and in return, I realized that people were watching us.
So many people wanted to take our pictures! Oh, yes, a few kind souls offered to take a picture of our whole family (one of them is posted a few posts down). That didn't surprise me. What was odd was those who wanted to take our picture with their own cameras! There were visitors from all over the world--many from Asian countries. The Asian women were fascinated with our children. They'd see Kieran coming around a corner and "ooh!" and "aah" over him. (We think he's pretty cute ourselves.) Then they'd see Keegan and say, "Brother? Oh! he has brother!" A moment later they'd clap their hands in delight seeing the three girls! "All brothers and sisters? All? One, two, three, four, five?" It was astounding to me because while five is more than our national average, it isn't something that usually stops traffic. Several of the ladies asked if they could take the children's picture. Their exuberance and genuine excitement was irresistible, so we were happy to oblige, but I do wish I'd taken a picture of them taking their pictures.
The other picture I wish I'd taken was of the Condor Man. As we were heading back toward the train, we saw a man waving an antenna back and forth. He was off by himself, but as we got closer he looked over at us, and seemed amiable. The children asked what he was doing,. (Ken and I were curious ourselves). We walked over to ask, and ended up being given a wonderful science lesson. He explained that he was picking up signals from California Condors, and provided a wealth of information on the enormous, endangered birds.
Next up, in my super-slow play-by-play, the return train ride. Stay tuned, it might be a day or three unless I can mend my ways.
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Friday, December 4, 2009
Oops... Got Derailed
I started to post about our trip to Arizona and the Grand Canyon, but got derailed just before posting about the train! We took a train to the north rim, and the ride was an experience to remember!
Before the trip: Kieran got in with a rough crowd, and made the acquaintance of some train robbers!:

The train!

Kieran much prefered this mode of travel to his car seat:


Outside our window--Looks alot like Wyoming!

And in addition to fascinating information told as we traveled, we had great entertainment!


Stay tuned. I really will get to the actual canyon soon! (If I don't get derailed again. It seemed that once we got home and unpacked the Christmas season just hit full force! Life is busy, but good!)
Next stop: The North Rim.
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