​The ‘lasts’ can be hard, can’t they? Sometimes a ‘last’ passes by and we aren’t aware it is a last – until it is long gone. The opportunity to savor and purposefully remember is gone, and the wind of time blows it down the street of our days into the past.  Today wasn’t like that, though. I knew ahead of time this ‘last’ was coming. I have been thinking about it, preparing for it, for a while now.
 
Today our ‘last’ child drove away for the ‘last’ time for a first day of school.   It wasn’t that long ago that he had the cat in his lap, made himself a cozy nest in a laundry basket, and proclaimed himself ready for kindergarten.  Different cat today, and the curriculum has certainly progressed (hey! Phonics worked!), but again he took some things to make himself a cozy nest while he settles in to do the hard work of preparing for a career. 

I had anticipated feeling overwhelmed and maybe a little weepy after he left.  With his older siblings on their own, including a newly married brother & sister-in-law, his leaving left us -alone. And then my husband left for work. I braced for a hard tug on my mama-heart. Homeschooling had been decades of loud laughter in a houseful of activity and energy.  In my empty house this morning, all was still. Even our usually frenetic husky-dog lay asleep in the sun by the sliding door. For the first time in 33 years (at least for this practice run semester!), we are empty-nesters. This is how it will be. I waited.
 
But you know what? Instead of feeling an overwhelming wave of sorrow or emptiness, what I felt instead was an irresistible, tremendous surge of gratitude.  This child for whom I prayed and with whom I worked so long; this child is going to be just fine.  He struggled for five years to overcome dyslexia, sounding out words bit by bit well into fifth grade. Yet like a tiny single prop airplane, when he finally lifted off – oh, away he soared – higher, higher, higher – with seemingly no bounds to where he could go. Trust me, his reading comprehension has come a long, long way, baby.  I am so grateful. 

Not only that. He was the one left behind by circumstances. My elderly mother lived with us, and it seemed that every spring, just as we finished the long fall review and turned a corner into new material, she would have a serious medical crisis: a stroke, a knee replacement after a fall, open-heart surgery, necrotizing fasciitis, another series of strokes.  After twelve hours a day at the hospital, I would return to that little face – that sweet little face.  And he would show me what he was trying to learn to do, on his own.  Just by reading the instructions,  with some not-always-detailed help from an older sibling, he taught himself to borrow for subtraction, to multiply in columns, to do long division.  During his elementary years, all the tricky things? all the steps that kids stumble over in math? I was absent for many of them – trying, desperately, at night to show him the next day’s work.  When I mourned over all he was having to do on his own, a wise mentor gave me this verse, Psalm 127:2 "... The Lord gives to His beloved, even in his sleep,” and reminded me that this child was learning an awful lot about faithfulness, about giving and living and love.  I clung to that. I was trying; he was trying. We were not enough; God had to make up for an awful lot. But He did, and I am so grateful.

So, today, that sweet-faced boy is a mechanical engineering student well past all that calculus and linear algebra and – well, past me!  I laugh to think how I worried that he would never learn to borrow for subtraction! I laugh to think how worried I was that he was having to learn how to learn. Even at 7, 8, or 9, under the watchful guidance of his older siblings when I was away, he developed the understanding that learning was important and working at it made a sweeter victory when something was understood and conquered.  How can I now be sad to see the seeds thus planted and prayed over coming to a bountiful and blessed harvest as he drives away to his own life and career? I can’t! 

I have become so aware of the patterns of lasts and firsts in life these past few years; I am learning to appreciate and embrace their coming. As my children have grown into young adults, the lasts have been coming at us fast! Yet…we noticed that if we were willing to release the fear of the “last” – we were really watching the birth of a “first.”  Last days at home become first days in their new place.  Last days here become our first new days as “the old folks.” Last nights in a childhood bedroom lead to a first night in their own home. Lasts are easy to mourn, perhaps harder to see as incipient firsts, but – oh the beauty when you glimpse it in that new perspective!

Just as God was faithful to lead and guide and provide for our family during those long, full, ride-them-like-a-rollercoaster years of homeschooling, God is faithful today. After 33 years with kids in the home as my primary focus and priority, I turn my eyes to tomorrow -- what is next?  If God so ordains, and Jesus tarries, I may yet have 30 or 33 more years on this earth.  I’m excited to see the “first” that this “last” ushers in!

But I’m still going to be really happy to see that kid, come Thanksgiving break! <3 

​Noli Timere!

-Then, as I watered, I walked around.  

Oh. From the other side, I was shocked to see these giant heads of cauliflower! I had to laugh at myself.  I had somehow missed two bigger-than-bowling-ball sized heads of cauliflower. How is that even possible?  

But you see - my perspective was off.  I wasn't looking at the bed from a good angle to see what it was producing, and I was hastily trying to move on to the next thing. Patience is not my natural strong suit, can you tell?  

I wondered, then, what spiritual growth was happening unnoticed and unappreciated in this time? My trials are so small - SO SMALL.  I have a little backyard that I love, and my home is filled with people I enjoy. What punishment is there in that? We are healthy. Our faith informs our view of this time as a trial, but not as a threat. Finances are what finances will be - but we have learned not to fret over such material things too much.  

So...why do I wriggle under these restrictions so?  Well, partly because we were designed for fellowship. It is GOOD that we do not enjoy being apart. We were born to "assemble together" as one body.  

But the truth is? I know that a good deal of my frustration this morning was simply not wanting to do something I didn't want to do. Stubborness. Willfulness. I just want my own way.  I like freedom and making up my own mind and going where I want to go.

But what if God is growing something beautiful in this time?  What if this lump of clay needs to sit still on the potter's wheel rather than wriggling under His hand as He forms me? 

I have often said the last great gift my mama gave me was patience. Impatient naturally, I was 40 years old and homeschooling my three children, when my mama came to live with us. God used her to knock some of my sharper edges back, to smooth a few rough spots, and to sand away daily at that lack of patience. But, oh, it was painful. 

In retrospect, as sharp as that time was, and as much as I often felt like I could feel my flesh-y self dying a fiery and humbling death, I would not trade it for anything. In fact, I so wish I had submitted to learning that lesson much earlier, so my early parenting years would have been kinder, gentler.  

So I am leaning in to the quiet today. I am not trying to fill my time. I am listening, asking, searching for what I can learn. How can I grow closer to God? How can I be His hands or feet or heart in this time?  

Most of all, I must remember, I simply do not have God's eternal perspective. I look at things too often from all the wrong angles, hastily, trying to get back to how I think things should be.  

Will you come sit with me, in this time of "safer at home"?  Let's make sure to soak up all we can of home, of family, of together.  When everything in the world gets back to "normal" - or whatever the new normal may look like - may we never lose the new sense of home we are discovering, the appreciation for time just spent together, the ease and comfort of family, the centrality of home, the anchor of faith. 

And, above all, 
Noli Timere - 

     Whew - sorry. Part 3 of the series is a little overdue.  I have been busy prepping my online classes for the fall, but never fear! I will be faithful to tell you about the rest of the wonderful treasures I discovered at homeschool conventions this summer! The idea of connecting home educating families with resources they might otherwise not discover is just too strong! I promise, Lord willing, there will be EIGHT total treasures for you this year! :D 
     Okay, down to business.  I was thrilled to find myself RIGHT NEXT to the most popular children's author booth at a convention earlier this year. Tricia Martin has written a Christian adventure series for kids ages 5-11, called "The Old Tree Series," and it was SPEEDING out of there! I wondered what all the fuss was about, so I quickly looked up the reviews on amazon (I know, I know, I cheated!). 

     It was exciting to read the reviews - people were honestly bubbling over with praise for this imaginative fantasy series. Some compared it with The Chronicles of Narnia, as each book shows a different adventure in faith that both reveals how decisions affect the world and allow children to understand timeless principles of goodness and truth. 
     When I talked with Tricia, her faith in and love for Jesus was the primary takeaway. She wants kids to grasp the greatness of the love of God, and to understand that following Him is an exciting adventure throughout life. Tricia emphasized that the while the reader is joining a grand adventure (the reader may be meeting Abraham Lincoln in his childhood, or experiencing an adventure in an underwater kingdom, or traveling to the Wild West...each book has a different setting!) they are also learning about spiritual warfare and the loving care of God. 

     While Tricia had the entire series at the convention, you can always choose just one book to check out and see if this might be a fun, God-honoring adventure series YOUR children would love as much as the children I kept hearing at the convention: "Oh, I finished the first book last night, and I can hardly wait to start the next one!" I placed direct links for Tricia's "The Old Tree Series" books below, so you can check it out! This local Southern California author is active in ministry at her church, holds an M.A. in counseling, and has also authored several books for adults on developing a personal, intimate relationship with God. You can find her at soulbreakthru.com

I would love to hear which of "The Old Tree Series" your children enjoy the most! (I happen to love Abe Lincoln, so the 7th is my favorite!)

I am so excited to bring this "Convention Treasure" to you! Having had a student who LOVED everything related to rocks & fossils, I know the struggle to bring quality geology education into the homeschool setting. Well...your problems are solved!  Northwest Treasures  is your solution! A geologist out of the Seattle area, Patrick Nurre conducts classes & seminars locally - but he can help your homeschool "dig in" to the amazing planet we live on, no matter what part of it you call home! He has authored an extensive homeschool geology curricula, along with rock, mineral, and fossil kits for every age & stage of curiosity. 

I caught up with Mr. Nurre recently, at a homeschool convention where he was a featured speaker, and I was absolutely overwhelmed by the sheer scope of his work.  To be honest, I am not yet - after really examining their website - sure I have an accurate count of all the curriculum kits they have available! From the "Geology for Little Eyes" Prk-3rd grade kit, to their "Bedrock Geology" curricula for grades 7-12, Mr. Nurre has created kits for every age and interest. Would you like an annual family short unit on some aspect of Geology? They have enough variety that you could do one every year...for a very long time! 

Mr. Nurre first was hooked on Geology when, as a young child, he found a dinosaur bone lying in the alley behind his home - while walking home from school for lunch, no less! (True story!) His life-long love of fossils, rocks, and the story the earth has to tell now has grown into a fount of information and resources that every single homeschool family can utilize:

• Are you looking for high quality young earth resources, with texts, samples, and exceptional Biblical scholarship? Northwest Treasures has that. 
• Are you in a charter or public homeschooling group, or simply want Geology resources without the young earth philosophy attached? Northwest Treasures has that. 
• Do your kids keep bringing home rocks, and you just want to help them figure out what they are? How about rock id kits? Northwest Treasures can help with that. 
• Are you traveling sometime this year, maybe to a new state, and you would love to have some way to incorporate a little school in your travels? How about a "rocks of the state" resource? Because...you guessed it...Northwest Treasures has that!
• Dinosaurs? Fossils? Mineral Identification? Volcanoes? Earthquakes?  NORTHWEST TREASURES HAS THAT! 
• Northwest Treasures even has online classes - on Vimeo! 
• Northwest Treasures has AMAZING tours and field trips planned! :O (See middle picture, below and click on it for the link!)

Occasionally we hear of someone's "life work" - well, in this case it is absolutely accurate to use that term. The lifetime of learning that Mr. Nurre has managed to make available for homeschool families is formidable. As we spoke a few weekends ago, Mr. Nurre emphasized to me how important it is to continue to reinforce the biblical principles we see in the very stuff of the earth. He has purposefully designed his kits so that families can teach Geology in "little chunks," coming back every year to keep a biblical worldview in mind as the entire family learns about, and comes to more fully appreciate, the creative genius of the Designer of our earth.  I encourage you to visit northwestrockandfossil.org to start your exploration! 

Noli Timere-

How to Change a Tire…” is genius.  Honestly, it is a FRAMEWORK for an entire Life Skills course, a series of life skills in every imaginable area. How many times have you read that young adults are struggling “to adult” because they don’t know how to do things that are second nature to us as parents?  They don’t know how to make dinner, to check the oil, to plunge a sink? “How to Change a Tire…”  is a guide to turning that ship around. Let’s make sure the NEXT generation knows how to be independent…and we may even learn something along the way ourselves! 

After looking through the book at the convention, I had to smile. I know exactly what I would do with this book!  I would make it a contract – a contract between our kids and us, their parents, “These are the things YOU NEED TO KNOW.  We are going to do our best to teach you – or to find someone or some way to teach you! – every skill in this book before you graduate. YOU have to approach every lesson as if your life depended on it. (Because, in some cases, it might!)”  I think once you look through this book, you will grab a couple of families to co-op it with and set out on the great adventure that “How to Change a Tire…” can be for your students! I would suggest doing it over several years – maybe as a four-year high school co-op course.

Now. What is this book…NOT?  It is NOT a step-by-step “how-to” book for every skill. Rather, it is inspiration. It is a gathered series of goals. It is accountability. It is a journal. It is a trove of memories waiting to be made.  Do not expect this book to tell you how to teach each skill; that is not its purpose. “How to Change a Tire…” is gathering of purpose, an outline for a life skills course you will never regret teaching and your students will benefit from for the rest of their lives.

As you might have guessed, a portion of the proceeds of this book goes to “Canning Hunger,” the national non-profit Dr. Norm began back in 1992.  Once again, here is the LINK where you can see more pictures and examples from the inside of the book and purchase it online! It is currently only available from their website. In addition, don't miss the video below, where Dr. Norm explains his motivations for writing the book! 

​Not all Rigor is Mortis!​
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Are you looking for some great summer books? My family, like most homeschool families I know, switches into another gear for summer reading. Some of these books are old favorites that we have loved for decades, and others are books I stumbled across relatively recently while...well, let's be honest here!...while looking for MY great summer reads! :D 

I can be persnickety about selecting books - both those I want my kids to spend their precious time with, and those I want to spend MY precious time with! For our family, a summer read should be a luxurious romp. We want to have fun with our summer reads! Of course I love great literature, and of course the classics are never left off my "currently reading" bookshelf, but a summer read must be portable: I have to be able to put it down...to jump in the water...and pick it up when the kids drowse off to sleep. A summer read might not be the heaviest mental lifting I do all year; a summer read should speak adventure to my soul! I may not spend 90 days touring the globe ...physically!!  ... but my mind can be off on all sorts of grand adventures with a good book. 

Chapter Book - PreTeen Ideas!  (Note: if you encourage your children to use kindle, check this! I found the Wally McDoogle books on kindle this month - for a mere 99 cents.)  If your kids are going to be reading in the car...NOTHING will make them snort out loud with laughter like the Wally McDoogle books. There is always a lesson, a moral, a good deed...although how author Bill Myers manages to squish all that in between the non-stop hilarity is really beyond me.  These are Christian fiction, and I would put the reading level at 3rd grade. They are short, 120 to 140 pages each, and quick reads. Next up?  "The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic" is a much longer book, but still aimed at the 8-12 year old set generally.  Author Jennifer Trafton's debut novel, this amazing adventure will have your kids turning the pages till the very end! Highly recommended (also see read aloud recommendations for Trafton's amazing 2nd novel and a great opportunity for families to create together!).  "Phantom Tollbooth" is a kids' classic, so fun and full of the unexpected that it draws in even the most reluctant of readers...and finally "The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had" - a book about friendship, prejudice, history, and potential - really a book that is a deceptively quick read with heart-stirring themes (I almost put it in the read-aloud category, because I think there is so much to discuss here). 

What about teens? If you are like me, some of what is available for teens may dishearten you.  Now,  for clarity and the sake of helpfulness: I err on the side of imagination and adventure. I tend to not encourage romance-reading (sorry for those fans who made it thus far!) for any age - I find the genre unrealistic and unhelpful. Thus, you will find sci-fi, historical fiction, adventure, biography, and such weighted rather heavily amongst my bookshelves. Even a summer read can INSPIRE! :D (Or, I can hope it will at least!) First,  I debated whether to put Catherine Valiente's "Fairyland" books here...or in the "mom and dad" section. I have not, honestly, finished reading the series. I know some have said Fairyland is "Narnia meets Alice in Wonderland and goes to Neil Gaiman's Discworld" - but I honestly find them a unique nod to previous Sci-fi/Fantasy without really owing too much to anyone.  "The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making" is the first in the series, and not my favorite...but start here. This series insists on big vocabulary, quick thinking, and makes big demands on its readers - but then rewards them wholeheartedly with fantastic wordplay, imagery that astounds, and a healthy serving of nonsense! Next, some classic James Herriot - we LOVED these books as a family. There is something so gentle, so real, so adventurous about this vet's ordinary life that it is plain inspiring. "Watership Down" is a YA classic, echoing with themes of loyalty, friendship, integrity and so much more. Next, a new entry in my recommendations...and I confess I hesitated:  "Wildwood" Chronicles. Wildwood is a long book, its vocabulary is daunting, and I confess that people either love it...or hate it. That said, those who love "Wildwood" REALLY love it, so give it a chance and see if you believe that this really is the "American Narnia," as its subtitle claims! (I wouldn't go THAT far, but did find it a great adventure...if a bit long!) My final suggestion for this section is "Peace Like a RIver."  Honestly, I think this book has a young narrator that rivals the classic Scout & Huck Finn. A secular book about strong faith, it does not shy away from themes of faith, family, and the twin possibilities of redemption and eternal loss. It is a book with strong themes, for older teens no doubt, but I encourage you to give it a look. Honestly, anything Lief Enger has written is worth that! He is on my shortlist of "most-likely-to-write-a-classic-I'll-be-teaching-some-day" authors. 

  Next...how about some family read alouds that will bring good discussion, some giggles, maybe an important discussion or two?  (PS - don't judge any of these books by a movie that may or may not have been made supposedly based on it! :O ) Take a look through this list and see if you don't find something that will set your summer nights rolling! If I could recommend ONLY ONE book for you - it would be "Henry and the Chalk Dragon," by Jennifer Trafton.   This sweet story of a boy's imagination SHOULD inspire us all to greater creative endeavors. In fact ( Homeschool Mom Alert!!) the author has a 4 lesson FREE creative course that readers of "Henry and the Chalk Dragon" are invited to take, a kind of creative journey the author will lead your family through. If it sounds about perfect for this summer? IT IS! Here is the link for the course...so you can preview that before buying the book, if you would like:  https://jennifertrafton.pathwright.com/library/henry-and-the-chalk-dragon/75702/about/    Check out the other recommendations as well - my family's favorite summer read aloud is "Summer of the Monkeys" - the kids all remember the time I laughed so hard, in gasps, that I could not finish reading the chapter and one of them had to take it over! Madeleine L'Engle's first in her Quintet,  "A Wrinkle in Time" was actually one of MY favorite books as a child, and my family loves it as a read-aloud series. I had so many potentials, but I had to cut it off somewhere...so the final recommendation in this section is "  :D "My Family and Other Animals" - by Gerald Durrell. This is but the first in a trilogy of Durrell family adventures, and it is a witty, quirky family indeed - sure to bring some laughter from their family to yours! (There is a British TV 6-part series based on these tales, if it sounds familiar!) 

Of course, mom (and dad!) certainly need some wonderful, thought-provoking, literary adventures all their own.  I make these recommendations as "places to begin" - knowing many of us hold different standards, and of course have differing literary tastes. With that caveat, here we go! First up is "The Outcasts of Time" by Ian Mortimer, which is the story of a man dying of bubonic plague during the 1300's, who is granted the gift of six days - with a leap of a century between them - to try to earn his place in life via a truly noble deed. Here is philosophy, wrapped so tightly in well-written plot that you will nearly not recognize it! Then, of course, JRR Tolkien's sweet nugget, "Leaf, by Niggle" is a deceptively light, short Tolkien. As with all Tolkien works, however, you will not live long enough to plumb its depths! Those who think too hard about such things suggest it is a retrospective on life as a writer, but all will enjoy it!   "The Book of Strange New Things" by Michel Faber was a World magazine Book of the Year several years ago. It took me this long to catch up. You will not want to miss this surprising, secular, sweet take on a futuristic missionary journey. It's stunning; I still can't stop thinking about it.  My 4th suggestion for this summer, "Return to Me" by Lynn Austin, is an historical fiction book based during the time of the Biblical books Ezra and Nehemiah. The nation of Israel is in exile in Babylon, and the yearning of the people to return and rebuild Jerusalem is in tension with the distractions and realities of every day life. I am not a "biblical fiction" fan AT ALL - but I will say this series has been an exception for me - perhaps it will be for you as well! I hope you enjoy it. Finally, "The Other Woman" by Daniel Silva, is #18 in his "Gabriel Allon" spy-espionage-adventure series.  It has won more awards than I could list here if I tried.  It is remarkably fun, fast-paced, and wryly intellectual, with the Israeli spy Allon just wanting to return to his art-restoration business and family life, but being dragged once again into an insolvable case. Expletive-free (unless my husband and I missed one?), there is one sexual situation in the first dozen pages. If you can skip over that one scene, the rest of the book is quite buttoned-up and a great deal of who-dunnit-it fun! I hope you find SOMETHING to make you smile this summer in this group! 

Finally - did you think I would have begun here? - some sweet picture books. I am particular about picture books, as you might imagine. Parents, I am well aware, must read these books hundreds, if not thousands, of times. I prefer gentle truths, tender words, and beautiful illustrations in my children's picture books. The illustrations are as important as the text, but not moreso. Here are some favorites I have read at least a hundred times, without tiring. I would gladly read them to your child today, this very moment! There is a great combination of SWEET, INSPIRATIONAL, FUN, and COMFORTING in this group - and I hope you have FUN with them! (PS - the first is a Claire Newberry. Frankly - you can just pick ANY Claire Newberry book and it will be a treasure forever!) 

Aw...summer. May it bring your family lots of laughter, joy, and memory-making! Maybe one of these books will contribute to some part of that - let me know if you find one amongst this group that becomes a particular family favorite. 

May your summer be long, your rest deep, the renewal real, and your joy limitless -

Of course, with the younger ones, you will want to weave in a few fingerplays and silly songs. Here are my favorites for St. Patrick’s Day:

The Clover Dance
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Have a four-leaf clover cut-out stapled to a straw for each child
Clover, Clover, with 4 leaves,
Clover, Clover, pretty and free.
Touch my head, then my toes.
Land on my nose as the March wind blows. 
Clover, Clover, turn around.
Clover, Clover, touch the ground.

Clover, Clover, with 4 leaves,
Clover, Clover, pretty and free,
Touch my elbow, then my thumb,
Land on my chin as we look up to the sun,
Clover, Clover, turn around.
Clover, Clover, touch the ground.

Clover, Clover, with 4 leaves,
Clover, Clover, pretty and free,
Touch my ear, then my knee,
Clover, thanks for playing with me!
Clover, Clover, turn around,
Clover, Clover, it’s time to sit down!

The Green Jig
Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”

If you’re wearing green today, clap your hands!
If you’re wearing green today, clap your hands!
If you’re wearing green today, clap your hands, then
smile and say, “Have a very, very Happy St. Pat’s Day!”
 
If you’re wearing green today, dance a jig!
If you’re wearing green today, dance a jig!
If you’re wearing green today, dance a jig, then
smile and say, “Have a very, very Happy St. Pat’s Day!”
 
If you’re wearing green today, sit back down!
If you’re wearing green today, sit back down!
If you’re wearing green today, sit back down, then
smile and say, “Have a very, very Happy St. Pat’s Day!”
 
Clover Pokey
(to the tune of Hokey Pokey)
Use clover stapled to straw, as in The Clover Dance

Put your clover up, you put your clover down,
Put your clover up and you shake it all around.
Do the clover pokey and you turn yourself around, 
Give two stomps on the ground. (stomp, stomp)

Put your clover in front 
Put your clover in back, 
Put your clover in front and give your knee a whack.
Do the clover pokey and you turn yourself around, 
Give two stomps on the ground. (stomp, stomp)

Put your clover on your knee, 
Put your clover on your toe, 
Put your clover on your head and then shake it to and fro, 
Do the clover pokey and you turn yourself around, 
Give two stomps on the ground. (stomp, stomp)

Put your clover to the left,
Put your clover to the right,
Put your clover to the left and now nod with all your might,
Do the clover pokey and you turn yourself around,
Now please sit down on the ground!
 
 TEN Little Leprechauns
(TEN) little leprechauns standing up tall. (hold up ten fingers)
(TEN) little leprechauns, all very small.
Brrrr, it’s windy! I cannot stay! (Hug self and shiver)
And one little leprechaun skipped away. (skip in place)
                                   *Continue counting down until you reach zero

Have a WONDERFUL St. Patrick's Day, and remember:
Not all Rigor is Mortis!

Happy spring!  There is nothing quite like the change in the air, when the sun comes out and the flowers start to push through.  I know some folks find it all so exhilerating that they go into "Spring Cleaning" mode and have to freshen up the whole house! Others of us find that April showers bring May bookworms! :)  If you are reading to spring into a great book or two, Miska and I have some great ideas! Of course, these books would be terrific ANYTIME, but perhaps they are just a bit sweeter to read in the spring!

​First - how about some terrific read alouds for spring? (Miska's favorites!):

And, of course, we have some suggestions for older readers as well. Have you ever noticed that the best authors have wonderful series? It is true again - for 3 of the 4 recommendations I have for you this spring, you will have more than one book to work through. In fact, for one of the authors, there are 22 books in the series!:

Looking for some fingerplays & songs for preschoolers this spring? Here are some ideas!!:
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Most parents think their children are exceptional. And, as homeschooling parents, we carefully plan our curriculums to make sure they maximize their academic potential. We'd love them no matter what - but we plan for them to be brilliant, to attend the best colleges, to make a mark on the academic world in some way. 

We work pretty hard at finding the best curriculum and understanding the pros and cons of everything from phonics materials to SAT 2 testing. Sometimes, in the midst of all of that learning and educating, however, we lose sight of the fact that we are not just raising brilliant human beings to impact their world: We are raising human beings who need to interact with their world in order to impact it and to enjoy it. 

That said, an article in Time magazine caught my eye recently. Entitled "Reading Literature Makes Us Smarter and Nicer," by Anne Murray Paul, the article summarizes data from 2006-2010 studies revealing that reading literature actually increases our compassion and empahty for others. What the author calls "Deep Reading" - not simply reading the back of a cereal box or an online blurb, but actually immersing oneself in another time and place - causes us to identify with the people and places we meet in the literature we read. Of course, I suspect all true readers knew this instinctively, but it is pretty marvelous to have data to back it up! 

So, as parents, how can we use this now-proven fact to our kids' advantage? Probably by doing what you are already doing, although perhaps now more purposefully: selecting a variety of great literature to expose your kids to a heroes and heroines from all walks of life. 

Is it possible that by exposing our children to protagonists both male and female, of all cultural and racial backgrounds, in different socio-economic backgrounds than they experience, and from different historical perspectives than they will ever know - is it possible that this is a powerful took to make them better, more informed, more empathetic citizens of the world?  Yes. Ms. Paul also cites a 2010 study which shows that even young children form a better understanding of others' intentions when they have been read to. In fact, the more stories that had been read to them, the more precisely the children were able to understand others - the study called this their "theory of mind." 

So, how do we begin? Well, as you cuddle the littlest ones on your lap, make sure to read books that are not just "for boys" to boys, and not just books "for girls" to your girls. Look thoughtfully for books about other cultures, and times.  Purposefully find books about children who look different than your family looks. Look for diversity in protagonists, in setting, and in culture. We love the book "Same, Same, but Different" about two penpals, one from the US and one from India. The illustrations are realistic and charming, and the comparisons between life in India and life in the States is valuable for children.

To help your kids think about people in different situations, perhaps a good start is  "Beautiful Moon" -by Tonya Bolden- which shows a young boy praying for the homeless and hungry. It has lovely, achingly beautiful illustrations, and is perfect to help 4 -8 year olds think about people other than themselves! In addition, many of the books we consider "Classics" are also terrific.


I think the series that helped my children really get "in the skin" of kids with other experiences was the Lois Lenski series of books on children. Published over 50 years ago,  "Judy's Journey," "Strawberry Girl," "Shoo-Fly Girl," "Cotton in My Sack" and others of her America Regional Series show very different ways of living, right here in the United States. While most of them are out of print, many are available in used book stores and at library book sales! We found they were terrific to use during while studying American history. There are as many "American" experiences as there are people - and it is wonderful to explore and as many as possible. Another choice, more readily available, are the "Dear America" series, historical fiction that reads like an auto-biography, placing the protagonist at critical points in history. 

​As your students progress, make sure to keep up the process. Look for wonderful world literature, literature that expands their horizons beyond their own experience. Many of the classics in American and World Literature do just that. I think of Frederick Douglas' great auto-biography, "Narrative of the Life" and Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird," and on and on. I think of "The Diary of Anne Frank" as my own first shocking realization of what WWII was really about.  For upper elementary, "Across Five Aprils," and "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry," "Island of the Blue Dolphin," "Number the Stars," are moving tales with deeply indentifiable protagonists. Isn't it interesting that somehow, understanding the experiences of the past can so potently inform our futures?

Perhaps this seems a small step, or an obvious one, to you.  Of course, most of us who love literature have probably subconsciously understood this principle. Beginning today, let's take it out of our subconscious and begin to purposefully include compassion-building literature into our studies. We can all only be the richer for it!

Not all rigor is mortis!

True confession? I have been thinking about this post for far too long. I need to write it and get it over with. If you think it is way too far off topic, just ignore it. I'll be back to great literature for us all very soon. But this book - THIS BOOK! - it is so much more than a cookbook. I feel like it is a great find, if perhaps not my usual ..um...'taste' in books!

This lovely, can't-put-it-down book is a history book, a well-written tale of the lives of women and families in American, all told through the cakes they baked. Anne Byrn has written a masterpiece in American Cake.  She weaves tales of cake pans, presidents, pioneer hardship, and high society together with gorgeous pictures, fabulous recipes, and a healthy serving of humor as well.

The only thing that could make it better would be glorious photographs of the cakes themselves. Oh! She has put that in too! I had to limit what I showed you - after all, that wouldn't be fair! - but you can see more at the author's info page, including a cute video that will further intrigue you! 

If I had a high school student and we were going to work our way through American history and/or American literature this next year, I would DEFINITELY get this book. We would work our way through this book in conjunction with our studies. It would be art, home economics, and so - SO - much fun. 

See? On this page alone, you could learn about the "event" known as a "Cakewalk," presidential favorite cakes (or pies), and the umbiquitous history of the jelly roll. Honestly, there is something for everyone in this book. It would be a great Friday afternoon finale for whatever era of Americana you have covered that week, and hey, you wind up with dessert, right?

Now, in the movie Julie & Julia, a woman sets out to cook her way through Julia Child's cookbook. I don't think you could do that with American Cake. You just have to choose. Or - cook them all and give away CAKE right and left - your social circle would be gloriously happy with you! 

The book is nicely divided, so you can plan it out to go with your other studies, but the history in THIS book is unlike anything you'll read elsewhere. Fun and entertaining, stories of bakeware and social status told by culinary achievements will have you retelling the anecdotes to friends.

​ I had not had my copy of this cookbook for thirty minutes before I was recommending it. 

So, yes, this is a bit out of my usual realm. Now I will get myself right back over to the literary shelves, where I belong. But this book was worth making an exception - and I think if you take a look at it yourself, you will agree! Happy reading...er...baking AND reading! 

​Not all Rigor is Mortis! (especially with THIS recommendation!)

A cheery fire in the fireplace, a patchwork quilt on the couch, and a mug of hot chocolate in each pair of hands: winter, it seems, is the perfect season for reading aloud as a family. With the early sunset, most of us find ourselves spending more family time indoors. How can we take advantage of that captive audience? Why...by reading, of course!

Most of you who read this blog are already read-aloud afficianados. You understand the joy of a shared laugh, and a shared understanding. A good book, once read together, can form the foundation for discussions, family jokes, and even a new "language" based on shared experience.  After reading "The Long Winter," for instance, my kids would joke that our pantry might be bare, but not "have to grind seed wheat" bare.  (Except that one time I forgot to do grocery shopping. That time they called to tell me "We need Almanzo's address. Somebody has to go for seed wheat." ) I don't need to convince you - but WHAT to read? 

I thought I would share a few of my favorite winter read-alouds. For my family, winter is a perfect time to get lost in a great SERIES. During the long days of late spring through summer, we just don't have the same focus. So, here goes. A few of my favorites, from picture book to novels. Actually, there are far too many favorites to fit here - but I will start. I have put off this blog post for far too long, thinking, "Oh, but how could I NOT include...!"

Today is the day to start -  Won't you share your family's favorites in the comments?

Argh - how to choose?  I decided to limit myself to THREE authors who have multiple great books I think your little ones will love and you won't mind reading over and over again!

For books to help young children grow in their understanding of the seasons, and to understand hibernation, the "Bear" series by Karma Wilson, and illustrated by Jane Chapman, are a fun and lovable sure-thing. The rhyming romp, the charming cluster of best friends, the tender care and funny antics are all certain to enthrall any child. An added benefit? As the reader, you won't tire of these clever books during the multiple re-readings that are sure to be requested!  The illustrations are delightful, really bringing this group of forest friends to life. This author also has a website, karmawilson.com , and under the "Teacher Resources" tab you will find activities and printables to help your children enjoy these books for years to come. 

I ran across this series last summer at a homeschool conference, and the children I read to simply cannot get enough! The "Pleasant Valley Farm" series by Hega Moser, Illustrated by Nadia Brover Gura, is a bit "more" in terms of story and length of text, and the illustrations are warm and winsome.  This series is published by Christian Light Publications. These character lessons are based on Scriptural concepts and are illustrated by the misadventures of a farm-full of animals - what could be more entertaining?  While you probably won't find these books in your local library, they would be a terrific addition to a personal or church library - or a homeschool group's resources! The books can be found at the publishers website, and occasionally used on amazon - they are worth the hunt!  The publisher also sells an inexpensive coloring book that looks like a lot of fun! 

If anything, this category is even more difficult to pare down to "just a few."  If these are old favorites for you too, don't dismay. Hang in there with me - there will be many more reading suggestions to come, I just could not leave these old favorites for another day! Here are 5 favorites, four of which are part of a larger, and equally wonderful, whole. If you have a little time, just read the book indicated here. But, if you are ready for a reading feast, jump on in to the series or the other books written by the same author. You won't be disappointed! 

When you think it is cold and snowy where you are, The Long Winter will remind you that winter never lasts forever. The classic winter tale by Laura Ingalls Wilder details the harsh conditions of that prarie winter, the daring feats undertaken by young men to save a town, and the simple joys of a new spring after a winter that seemed it may never end.  Of course, this is actually book #6 in a nine-book series, so you "could" start at the beginning! I know some parents wonder if these books will interest boys - let me assure you, they will! My oldest son once told me, "Pa Ingalls didn't need a son - he had Laura!" The adventures of this family hold up across time and place because they are anchored in character and illustrated with vivid word pictures that will stay with your children forever! There is also a terrific little website dedicated to the series, and there are some recipes, a teacher guide, and more extras. Take a look at littlehousebooks.com !

C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia series has been capturing imaginations since it was first published. How handy for us as parents that the first book is the "never-ending winter" book - perfect for a cold February night (or anytime, actually!).  Start with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and you will continue on through the series, I am sure! Family favorites at my house, this fantasy adventure series takes place in a realm of magical beasts and talking animals, the children who visit there from our word witness and are integral to the history of that world - Narnia. Spanning the entire history of Narnia, these chronicles draw from Christian theology, Greek & Roman mythology, and the folk tales of the British Isles. A very intricately woven series, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe also stands alone as a wonderfully intriguing visit to a magical place. Or is it? The website narnia.com houses recipes and costume information perfect for cosplay...or halloween! If you do read LWW this winter, take a chance and mix up some Turkish Delight! 

Walt Morey's books are all classic wilderness tales, with evocative details that make you feel as if you can see each scene he paints with that vivid word-brush of his.  While our family loves most of Morey's wonderful books, including "Canyon Winter," and "Kavik the Wolf Dog," there is no doubt that as for generations of readers before us, "Gentle Ben" is our all-time favorite. This tale of a lonely boy and a lonely bear has everything - adventure, heart, character, and family. Once your family falls in love with Walt Morey, you will be scouring used-book sales for all of his out-of-print classics! 

The Little Britches series is probably our favorite read-aloud series. There are places so tender mom wept while reading them, and parts so hysterically funny that dad snorted aloud while trying to get through the paragraph. Mostly, Little Britches is a true pioneer tale of a young boy trying to grow up on the frontier. Moving from New Hampshire to Colorado in 1908, the Moody family encounters hardship, unbelievable adventure, and faces adversity as a family unit bound by love and courage. Moody weaves his autobiographic tale of tragedy, triumph, fun, and painful truths with such detail that you are drawn into his world, caring deeply about the characters and their fate. One notable warning: there are very occasional mild profanity, in quotations of the local cowboys, in the books. We chose to simply change the very infrequent word to another when our children were small. While these are not strictly "winter" reading, we found that the time needed to go through the series was most easily found in the dark evenings of winter and early spring. 

While originally written in 1865, this book is every bit as enjoyable as the day it was published. Hans and his sister Gretel set out to win a skating championship on their hand-carved wooden blades in order to help their mother save the family and help their incapacitated father.  This is the book that first introduced speed skating to America, and also the tale of the little Dutch boy who plugs a dike with his finger. The book is full of history and side-tales that contribute to the "Netherlands immersion experience" that Mary Mapes Dodge intended for her readers.  One of the potential negatives is the Dickens-esque languge, often difficult for younger readers especially, but that is also what makes it perfect for a read-aloud. This is a character, or morality, story - the children are rewarded for their virtue - no doubt. It also takes wide detours of the story to introduce elements of local history, other characters, etc. Honestly? I think those two oft-cited detractions are among its brightest qualities! There are several versions available, including a newer abridged version.  If you love detail and a little wordiness doesn't alarm you, I would encourage you to stick with the original. Your children will all develop dreams of learning Dutch and visiting the Netherlands! 

I hope you find a new family favorite to read before the sun and the warmth of the lengthening days draws you out to play! I would love to hear about your family's favorite winter reads as well - please leave a comment for our webmaster to approve and post. We love to hear from you!