Messy Glory

Monday, June 06, 2011

Caps for Sale

Our plan for the summer is to spend some informal homeschooling time with a different book each week. We’ll be focusing on several of the books featured in Before Five in Row, simply because lots of resources for these already exist and I’m trying to keep my prep time to a minimum.
I have to give a huge shout-out to Homeschool Share for providing a wealth of printable activities and lapbooks, and also to Delightful Learning for being my inspiration. I’m gathering so many ideas for fun activities, links to other resources, and organizational tips from Michelle and her crew, and I’m especially excited to keep a record of our summer adventures with a Lap Journal / Scrapbook of sorts.
And now, without further ado…

Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business by Esphyr Slobodkina
Last week was all about caps, coins, and monkeys at our house. I love this story and have enjoyed telling it to many children as a librarian. How fun it has been to share it with David as well!

CAPS FOR SALE! FIFTY CENTS A CAP!

We took the change jar down from the shelf and identified the different types of coins and their values. We also did a little impromptu sorting of the coins and put together the How Much is it Worth? book from Homeschool Share. Then we talked about ways to make fifty cents using various combinations of coins and did some crayon rubbings of the coins (the idea for this came from Delightful Learning).

A PEDDLER AND TWO MONKEYS

We spent a day out at Max and Macy’s house and took along a bag of caps so that we could act out the story together. Everyone took a turn at being the peddler, but I think they really enjoyed being monkeys more.

ILLUSTRATION & NARRATION

For each book we explore this summer, I plan to type up a summary of the story according to David and pair it with a story-inspired illustration or piece of art that he creates. This first go-around was quite fun. He thoughtfully paged his way through the book, retelling the story along the way. I provided him with a tree outline and was pleased to see how carefully he sketched out a couple of monkeys – one with a red hat and one with a blue hat.

MORE MONKEY BUSINESS
To go along with the monkeys in Caps for Sale, we enjoyed chocolate-covered frozen bananas – an especially tasty treat after participating in a 5K Walk/Run on a very hot Sunday afternoon.
While I was at work on Saturday, Keith took the kids to the zoo, where they made a special visit to a rare baby Javan gibbon, born earlier this spring. Keith told me that David was so excited to visit the monkeys and kept mentioning Caps for Sale on the way there. We go to the zoo so often that I didn’t think he would even make a connection between our focus on the book and this trip, but he did (not that it really matters, but it sure did bring a smile to my face).

A LOOK AT OUR BOOK JOURNAL

Monday, April 18, 2011

Book Review: Love at Last Sight by Kerry and Chris Shook

The premise of Love at Last Sight: 30 Days to Grow and Deepen Your Closest Relationships is that each of our most important relationships has "the potential to be better the next time we're together than it was the previous time so that the last time we see each other on this earth we're closer than ever before." The book provides insights and practical advice for working towards this goal in 30 easy-to-read chapters. Husband and wife team, Kerry and Chris Shook, implore the reader to focus on three key relationships and intentionally work at a different aspect of those relationships each day for a month. Topics covered include everything from benefiting from conflict to being an encourager.

I have to admit that I didn't actually follow the one-chapter-a-day-for-30-days plan, but rather read as much as I could whenever I had the time. I can see how really focusing on a topic a day would be beneficial, but I also gleaned quite a bit of wisdom from reading the book a bit more haphazardly.

Day 20 had the greatest impact for me. In this section, the Shooks shed some new light on the topic of expressing anger in relationships. They make a case for why anger is not only NOT bad, but actually a vital component of growing relationships. Their words on this topic really resonated with me because I tend to be the one (in my marriage, at least) with the temper. It was reassuring to know that I can express anger without being wrong or sinful and that "anger has to come to the surface in order for a relationship to go to new depths." I was also challenged by the practical tips they gave for expressing anger and navigating conflict.

Another portion of the book that I found thought-provoking discussed creating a vision for your relationship and intentionally working towards a common goal. This is something I long for in my marriage and I was given renewed hope through the authors' words. One question and one command in particular stood out to me in regards to my relationship with my husband:

-"What can the two of you do together that you can’t do on your own?"

Just reading this question excites me. Imagine what Keith and I could accomplish if we carefully and prayerfully considered our combined strengths and callings. It may be something as simple as raising our children or something as foreign as becoming pediatricians and serving impoverished children in Mexico. Regardless, God certainly had a plan for his kingdom when he brought the two of us together, and I want to fulfill it.

- “[be] of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” Philippians 2:2

As a child, I memorized Philippians 2, so this verse is not new to me. However, I've always thought of it in the context of the church. Reading it as a command for my marriage (or other personal relationships) is eye-opening. I'm claiming this as the official verse for my relationship with Keith...I hope he's okay with that. : )

Disclosure: I received this book free from the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group's Blogging for Books program. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Sowing Plans

Spring is officially here, the days are growing longer, and our garden is just waiting to be filled up with homegrown goodness.
I’ve spent some time browsing the gardening sections of the library and bookstores and reading up on the topic already this week, and now that Keith is on spring break I’m hoping we’ll be able to dig right in (pun intended).
At the moment, I’m a bit overwhelmed by all the decisions that need to be made:

build another bed or stick with one? maybe try some containers?
start from seed or buy plants?
which veggies should we grow? how many varieties? how many of each?

I definitely need to put together a good plan of attack. I’m thinking that we’ll implement much of the information I’ve been gathering from All New Square Foot Gardening – the orderliness and ease of this method really appeals to me.
Perhaps part of the reason I’m so excited about our little garden this year is that I anticipate David will really enjoy being involved in the growing. We’ll be starting our gardening homeschool unit next week, too – it should be fun!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Book Review: The Beginning Reader's Bible

I've been on the lookout for a quality children's Bible for my kids for a while now. I've spent time browsing bookstores and checked out several different versions from the library. There are a LOT of children's Bibles out there, but unfortunately many of them are less than impressive.

The Beginning Reader's Bible is among the best of all the kid's Bibles I've looked at. Included are twenty-six stories from the Old and New Testaments with text from the International Children's Bible translation and illustrations by Marijke ten Cate. The resources section in the back of the book provides quick and easy access to oft-used portions of scripture such as the ten commandments and the Lord's prayer as well as songs about Jesus, and a memory verse chart among other things.

The Beginning Reader's Bible stands out to me for many reasons including:

THE TEXT: So many kid's Bibles are full of goofy rhymes or watered-down text. I appreciate that this version contains actual scripture. Each story is comprised of selected verses from the corresponding chapter(s) of the Bible. The text is formatted with little verse numbers just as it would be in a grown-up's Bible.

THE ILLUSTRATIONS: Again, lots of kid's Bibles contain illustrations that are cartoony or sub par in quality. Marijke ten Cate's illustrations are artistic, colorful, and realistic. I love that the illustrations fill the entire space of each page.

THE FORMAT: This is a rather large book - about 10 inches by 9 inches. It is hardcover, thick and heavy. Not ideal for a little one to sit down and hold on his own lap, but perfect for reading together. It also has a built-in ribbon bookmark, which we've found quite helpful.

THE RESOURCES: The ten commandments, Lord's prayer, and twenty-third Psalm are such vital parts of scripture (and so often memorized in childhood), so I'm glad that they are included. The reading chart, memory verse chart and lists (12 apostles, books of the Bible, etc.) are also helpful.

Despite the title, this is not a Bible for beginning readers. The print is too small and not spaced well for eyes that are just beginning to read. The translation is suitable for children, but still full of words that would be beyond the grasp of young readers. To be fair, I'm not sure that any version of scripture could be considered "for beginning readers." Perhaps this Bible would be better described as one for beginning Bible-studiers (but that doesn't make for a very good title).

We've really enjoyed reading through this Bible, and I'm certain it will continue to get lots of use in our house in the future.

Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

It's easy being green

I'm not sure why, but St. Patrick's Day became quite a big deal at our house this year. On Wednesday evening, David and Keith were laying out their clothes for the next day when David realized that Keith would have to go to work in the morning. He was so disappointed that Dad would not be home on St. Patrick's Day and would miss out on all the fun. Thankfully, I did have some fun planned:

Pot o' Gold Roll and Cover game from 2 Teaching Mommies

Lucky Charms graphing from 2 Teaching Mommies

Gold Jumble form Musings of Me

We started our morning with a bowl of Lucky Charms. I was surprised that David actually took the time to sort and graph his marshmallows before scarfing them down. Lida enjoyed some cheerios (and I think David slipped her a rainbow or two as well).

Then we moved into the living room and tried on Lida's new green mama-made legwarmers. They fit perfectly and she was so excited to wear them. She laid like that on her back for a good few minutes just pulling at the legwarmers and doing her happy scream. Unfortunately, the legwarmers slid off as soon as she started scooting across the floor. She seemed genuinely distressed by this, immediately turning around to pick them up and trying to figure out how to get them back on her legs. So cute!

David and I played a few rounds of Gold Jumble - identifying uppercase and lowercase letters (I bought the green and gold coins on clearance at JoAnn's). Notice David's all-green outfit - he picked it all out on his own, right down to the green "church socks" and green camouflage underpants.

In the kitchen, we did a little shamrock patterning with window clings (another JoAnn's clearance find).

Later in the day, David and I prepared our surprise dessert (adapted from Oopsey Daisy's Leprechaun Pie): rainbow pudding with...

hidden gold coins!

David was so excited to share these yummy treats with Daddy after supper (which landed us at Bob Evans after my failed attempt at potato pancakes).

Our St. Patrick's Day celebration ended with one very happy little leprechaun!

Jane Eyre Read-Along: Parts 2, 3, & 4

I finished Jane Eyre today - just a week behind schedule, according to Amy's online read-along. I'm so glad Amy hosted this read-along. I'm not sure that I would have taken time to read the book otherwise, but I'm so glad I did.

Of course, the most endearing part of the book is Jane herself. She is such a strong woman and quite a personable narrator. I would have been severely disappointed had the story not ended happily for Jane. All along, I wasn't sure what "happily ever after" would look like for her - certainly it would include Mr. Rochester, but it wasn't until he suffered some setbacks and sufferings that they truly seemed a perfect match.

The following are two more passages that stood out to me.

In chapter 27, Jane struggles mightily with the decision to leave Thornfield and a distraught Mr. Rochester:

"...and while he spoke my very Conscience and Reason turned traitors against me, and charged me with crime in resisting him. They spoke almost as loud as Feeling: and that clamoured wildly. 'Oh, comply!' it said. 'Think of his misery; think of his danger - look at his state when left alone; remember his headlong nature; consider the recklessness following on despair - soothe him; save him; love him; tell him you love him and will be his. Who in the world cares for you? or who will be injured by what you do?'

Still indomitable was the reply - 'I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I respect myself. I will keep the law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad - as I am now. Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this , when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have a worth - so I have always believed; and if I cannot believe it now, it is because I am insane - quite insane; with my veins running fire, and my heart beating faster than I can count its throbs. Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations, are all I have at this hour to stand by: there I plant my foot."

Bravo, Jane! Oh, that I could be so rational in the face of flailing emotions.

And a bit of wisdom from St John in chapter 31:

"It is hard work to control the workings of inclination, and turn the bent of nature: but that it may be done, I know from experience. God has given us, in a measure, the power to make our own fate; and when our energies seem to demand a sustenance they cannot get - when our will strains after a path we may not follow - we need neither starve from inanition, nor stand still in despair: we have but to seek another nourishment for the mind, as strong as the forbidden food it longed to taste - and perhaps purer; and to hew out for the adventurous foot a road as direct and broad as the one Fortune has blocked up against us, if rougher than it."

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Choosing the Next Chapter Book

We've been enjoying reading chapter books to David for several months now. We started with Stuart Little last summer and have read our way through a few others including Flat Stanley and, most recently, Peter Pan. Keith and David started The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but David isn't too sure about a book with a witch in the title. So, I asked my librarian friend, Becky for some suggestions for our next chapter book. I can't wait to find out which one David will choose.