Let the Freedom [School] Bell Ring.

You likely haven't heard, but it was National School Choice Week- a week to highlight "effective educational opportunities" and "empower parents to choose the best educational environment for their children".  I'm 100% in favor of allowing parents this freedom, and I encourage all parents to be active in the education of their children... but I can't help but thinking about how difficult it can be to choose.

I was with some good friends today and many of them spoke about how it can be overwhelming to order at a restaurant.  You want to make the right choice, and there are so many options.  So many things look good...or nothing may look good...or there's just too many choices and your brain shuts down.

That's how I can feel  about schooling choices.  There are many options: public school, private school, a "specialized" school, or homeschool.  This list may be longer (or shorter) depending on where you live.  I want to get all the positive aspects of each one.  Unfortunately, I can't have it all; I have to make a choice, and the effects of the decision will last much longer than a full stomach.

[Evelyn on a trip with a homeschooling group at the Butterfly House]

We homeschool...and we don't.  I have one school-aged child in public school, and one at home. I have this paradigm where I feel half of those I know think I'm crazy for homeschooling, and the other half think I'm crazy for not. But, what do I think?!  That's the tricky part.

I love homeschooling. It's difficult to argue with the list of benefits.  I can give my children an individualized education.  We work at their level and their pace.  The student to teacher ratio is unbeatable.  Even if you have a large family, it's not going to be 27:1 like at my son's school (unless you have a very large family!).

I also get to spend more time with my children.  There are days when it can feel like a little too much time, but I wouldn't trade time with my kids for anything.

 [Who doesn't read in a leotard?]

Our education is Christ-centered.  We can talk about how all education points to our awesome God because He made science, He designed math, He established different languages, and He wrote history, etc. 

Our schedule is flexible.  Especially at times of big life-changes this has been a huge blessing.  When my mom passed away, we didn't do school for a week.  I didn't have to worry about how my kids were doing emotionally, because they were with me.  We spent some time loving on each other and spending time at my dad's farm.  It's beneficial in little ways too.  I feel it now as we try to plan trips, we always have to be mindful of the school calendar.

[A song Nathan recently wrote for my mom] 

However, once/if I decide to homeschool, I have to choose (or write) curriculum, and the list of options becomes insurmountable again!  This does get easier every year, but it's more time consuming and expensive than sending my kid to public school.  We have enjoyed Classical Conversations this past year, which helps with curriculum decisions somewhat, but also adds to the expense.

[The girls making ABAB patterns]

Homeschooling also isn't all sunshine and roses.  It involves difficult kids (why are kids so much more well-behaved for other adults than they are for their own mother?!), and a phone call to Matt about once a month declaring my sanity may be lost for good and I don't know if I can do it any longer.  This may just be me though...

[The girls with their "bodies" they constructed at Classical Conversations]



On the flip side, public school (this is our first year) has gone well for us also.  Our son, is at an advanced-placement school and has had many opportunities that he wouldn't have received at home.  We have been very watchful of what he is learning, and have not had many issues at all. We were skeptical of the math program, but have found it to not be that different from what we had done with him at home.  Early in the year he studied Ancient Egypt, which fit in perfectly with the timeline we were learning at home (yes, Nathan still does learn at home) as well as the Bible study he was doing on the life of Moses.  It was an answer to prayer. We've seen God work out many other things as He has empowered Nathan to speak up and ask questions when things he's learned at school didn't quite match up with the Biblical worldview he's taught at home.  Nathan enjoys public school and he likes working with his peers.  He gets to hammer out ideas and fix problems with his classmates in a different way than he would get to at home.  He also has a great teacher who has had very open communication with us the entire year, and has been very easy to talk to when we did have a question or concern.  He loves recess, gym, Spanish, and music...all classes that become more enjoyable when done with other people.

 [Columbus Day, making foil boats and seeing who can float the most pennies]



But there are disadvantages:  the education is secular, there's the schedule as mentioned before, kids can be mean, he's gone from home, the system as a whole can feel broken, and please let's not even mention "Common Core".
I'm also sensitive as to whether Nathan feels left out.  He's the only boy, he's the only kid gone during the day, all the girls share a room, etc.  But, perhaps it's in a mother to feel a little guilt.

[A page from Ella's Bible study.   11. God showed His special kindness to the Israelites and kept them safe.  How has God shown His special kindness to you?  Ella's response, "He gave me a sweet momy."]



Ultimately, as a Christian, sending my child to public school felt like a calling.  We are not to conform to the ways of this world, but we are to be active and living in this world.  Imagine what the public schools would be like if they were abandoned by all Christians.  It's easier for me to build up a large hedge around my family, stay home, and avoid the world.  However, I don't think it's what God would have us do.  I'm challenged as to how I can better represent the Gospel in my community.

 [Nathan reading to his sisters]



In conclusion, as I think about what we'll do for school next year, my answer is "I don't know!"  I'm pretty certain the girls will still be at home, but Matt and I are still pursuing God about what Nathan will do.  We've always made decisions year by year, and God has been faithful to guide us.   You can see how I may be a little jealous of those who "know" they're homeschooling through high school, or who don't even consider it and "know" their kids will go through public or private school though.  Sigh...

The happy ending is that we have freedoms to choose, and there's not a "wrong" answer.  God is sovereign and will lead His people according to His will.  No education system is perfect, but God can take the pieces that are lacking and knit them together for His glory.

To further help me in my pursuit, I'm going to veer from my monthly reading challenge of reading a classic and a non-fiction and read two non-fictions.

The first is, The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education by Leigh Bortins.  The author is the same person who started Classical Conversations.  I'm hoping this will better inform me about classical education before we make our decision.  (We don't have any classical schools here, so to do classical education we would have to homeschool).

Also, I'm going to read Going Public: Your Child Can Thrive in Public School.  This is written from a Christian perspective as to how to nurture the power of Christ in your child as you send them to public school to show God's love and even be a light in the darkness.  It explores what the Bible has to say about education and why everyone should also homeschool in addition to public school.

So, am I alone?  Does anyone else struggle with this decision?  I'm looking forward to finding how God will direct us!

Honoring Mom.

Yesterday was my mom's birthday.  She would have been 65 had she not passed away a year and half ago.  I miss her every. single. day.  It comes in different forms.  There are days when we'll be busy, and as I fall asleep I'll think about her (and how I hadn't thought about her or felt sad that day); there are times when I instinctively think about giving her a phone call, with a quick realization that it's not an option any more; each holiday, birthday, or milestone event my heart aches for my mother to be there.  Evelyn is at such a fun age and has such a quirky, loving personality that I'm sad my mom didn't get to experience her more, and likewise I'm sad that Evelyn will only know her Nana by pictures. 

I wish we could have gone shopping and out for lunch for her birthday...perhaps shared a bottle of white Zinfandel.  There is so much I would tell her if I had the chance.   The simple things seem so lovely now.  This is a lesson I hope I learn from, as there are so many still on this earth that I love dearly.

 My mom was very strong, never one to complain about physical pain (cashiers, yes; pain, no).  She lived her life the way she chose and would never let a word like 'cancer' define her or how she would live.  It's only fitting that even in her death, a piece of her continued on through donation.

Tuesday, December 9 (the day before her birthday), the local hospital where my mom received her care and where she passed away, had a dedication ceremony for a new display in their lobby.  It honors 60+ "heroes" from the previous year who gave through organ donation.  The lobby was filled with grieving loved ones who came to remember and honor those who have passed away.
The display was touching.  I'm glad that others can see her picture and see a little bit of her legacy and how important she was to so many.

It was humbling to see the other photos as well and read a little bit about some of the people, many of whoms death meant that someone got a change to live.  There were many younger than my mom, including small children.  Many came to the dedication with grief I could tell was fresher than my own.  Like I said, it was humbling. 

We were given a sheet with the names of all the donors in order that their photo appeared.  Nathan held the sheet and would announce, "Nana's coming in 3 more photos Nana's up in 2 photos...", and so on.  At the right time the kids kneeled down to get a good look at Nana.  I overheard Ella say, "I'm smiling at Nana because her smile makes me smile."  Then Nathan added, "I can't look at Nana without smiling."  It was a sweet moment.

I'm thankful for this display and the efforts of those who put it together.  I know the kids would like to go see it again, and we likely will.  It will be running for several months, it's only a couple of miles from our home, and I love moments to talk about my mom with the kids.  

Matt also shared with me last night that at Bible study the group was asked the discussion question, "If you could spend Christmas with anyone, who would you spend it with?".  Both Nathan and Ella answered "Nana"!  

Her memory is strong, and we love will always love her dearly!

Autumn Beaut(ies)

 One more Fall post before I have to admit that Winter is here!  

Raking is a still a great time at our home.  All the kids enjoy raking and helping out, and if they get tired of it they climb a tree or play in the leaves.  We lost half of our mature trees in a storm two Springs ago, so the load is lighter, which also helps!

I love the Fall; it's crisp and gorgeous.  Once the leaves are down though, it's hard to deny that the weather is changing.  Winter is definitely a beautiful season in its own way, but I'm thankful we could enjoy the Fall weather one last time!

 

 

Apple Orchard.

I can hear the wind whistling outside and see the evidence of the "white stuff" here and there.  Granted it's November and winter must come sometime, but it always catches all of us off guard.  So, today I think back to only a few short weeks ago when we picked apples in our short sleeves!

We were blessed with a haul of apples both from a friend and from my Dad (and don't forget we harvested one ourselves).  However, we eat about six apples a day here, so we go through them pretty quickly.  I snagged up an online deal for a local orchard and we were able to get about 50 lbs more (in two different trips).

Ready to go!

It was a short walk to the trees.  Evelyn rode in the wagon most of the way, until Nathan and Ella took off (literally) running for the trees.  She then was all about pulling the wagon.  She pulled the wagon around most of the time while we were picking. 

It was getting towards the end of the season.  The apples were still good, but there were a lot on the ground.  

Nathan is more about tree climbing than apple picking, although he was able to do both.

Monkey see, monkey do!

Here's Ella doing likewise.  

I like this shot because it shows how short these trees are.  So, when I say tree climbing, it's more like tree stepping into.

Still going with the wagon.  

It pulls a little harder when loaded with apples.  I think this is also about the same time Ella and Addie bailed for the port-a-potty.

This tractor made me think of my dad.  He's always been a simple, humble man with a heart for a good, old tractor.

We have a rule when picking apples.  Everyone must eat one to make sure they're good.  But, just one...don't get greedy!

Always love to look at all the bins of pumpkins and gourds.  Each season is full of its own blessings.  

Once we were finished picking apples, we decided to walk near the other end of the orchard.  They have a barn with ponies, goats and chickens.  My kids have never been much into animals (meaning they are very much afraid), but they have been making great improvements in the last 6 months...or so I thought.

There was one crazy black goat that was out (and you couldn't put it back in because I saw it jump over the fence).  He was mainly just walking around minding his own business and letting some other little girl feed him apples.  Nathan and Ella were cool, but Evelyn and Adeline definitely did not like this goat being so free about them.  It was high anxiety with lots of clinging.  I convinced them however, to sit on some hay to take a photo.  It's safe I assured them, the goat isn't over here.  About the time everyone was seated, the goat got bored with before mentioned little girl and decided to trot (though not aggressively) to see what we had for him.  He then jumped up on the hay stacks about 15 feet away from where they were sitting.  Oh. my. word.  You would have thought someone was chasing my children with a chainsaw. 

Ella, who is actually now quite fond of animals, tried to distract the goat away from Evelyn and Adeline (both of whom I was holding), and the other girl there tried to chase it away also.  It was very heroic!

After all that, I didn't get the original photo on the hay like I wanted.  However, Nathan and Ella were willing to try it again, and Addie even participated with some convincing.  Evelyn, not so much.

You see how Ella has her hand on Addie's knee?  It was a mix of "it's going to be ok, I'm here with you", and "You're not going to run away".  She'll be a good mom someday! :)

And of course, when apple picking you wear your red high heals.

These are her most beloved shoes.  We may have to get her a new pair.  There's no way these fit anymore, but she doesn't want to give them up!

Halloween, 2014.

 Another Halloween come and gone!  

My kids love the idea of dressing up in costumes and having people give them candy...and why wouldn't they?!  Though there are definitely things I don't like about Halloween, I do like that we get to meet and visit with people in our neighborhood.  We purposely stick within a block or two of our house, and I think each year we meet someone new.  We also have enough retired neighbors nearby that know our kids (at least who they are) and appreciate seeing them (or at least I like to think so).  Unfortunately, we don't hand out a lot of candy since we're out of the house, but I also think it would be fun to stay home and meet and bless the people who come to our door.  I envision passing out hot cider to the adults and having neighborly conversations.  It just seems like an easy night to "love your neighbor".

This year was also special because Grammy and Grandpa Joe were here for trick-or-treating.  They came in to celebrate Addie's birthday a few days late so that they could be here for Halloween as well.

The afternoon of October 31 was spent as it should be.  I was making last minute costume adjustments and the kids were cleaning out their pumpkins!  Usually Matt is the carver, but since he was working it was good grandma and grandpa were here!

Evelyn was very much into this pumpkin thing.  She scooped out that pumpkin like a champ!

I don't know why I failed to get a photo of the finished pumpkins...

Nathan decided that pumpkins were too smelly and instead played his Nintendo DS.  On a typical week he only gets to play with his DS Friday through Sunday, so rare is the Friday afternoon when he doesn't ask to play it.

With pumpkins carved (and seeds reserved for roasting), we ate some chili for dinner and then prepared to hit the streets. 

Here's my crew:  tree, Captain Rex, the Incredible Hulk, and a giraffe.

Bonus, you can see all the pumpkins in the above photo!  Addie's is on the top (it has distinct features like ears and a uni-brow), Ella's is in the middle, and Evelyn's is on the bottom.  The girls drew the faces on the pumpkins with marker, then Grammy and Grandpa Joe carved them out.  I'm guessing Evelyn had a little help, but I think the mouth was all her design.

Here is Nathan as Captain Rex.  

I really don't know who this is.  All I know is that he is from Star Wars and either a Storm Trooper or a Clone Trooper (is there a difference?)  Nathan has never seen Star Wars but for some reason has a wealth of Star Wars knowledge and may be slightly obsessed.

Ella as a maple tree.

Ella decided a few weeks ago that she would like to be a tree.  She had a few elaborate ideas as to what this would look like.  With Ella the fancier the better.  However my general rule with Halloween costumes is that I don't want to spend money on them, or a lot of time.  So we collected leaves and Mod Podged them, then hot glued them to a headband.  Thankfully we already had a squirrel and some birds that we could just stitch to a brown jacket.  Ella decided to ditch the birds, apparently my sewing skills were not up to par.  It's totally simple and so much more could have been done, but in the end it worked and Ella was satisfied.

Here is Adeline as the Incredible Hulk.

 

This summer we had some neighbors move, and we were the recipients of some old costumes that no longer fit their eleven year-old son.  So, that is where both the clone trooper and Hulk costumes came from.  It worked perfectly with my "no time no money" costume rule.

It was humorous to me, though perhaps appropriate, that Addie chose the Hulk.  She practiced yelling "Hulk Smash" a lot.  She wasn't brave enough to say it to anyone while out though.  She also loves princesses, but  I think it came down to hearing Nathan talk about the Hulk and wanting her big brother to think she was cool. 

 

Finally, here is Evelyn giraffe.

I still remember buying this costume when Nathan was a year old.  I bought it at Babies R Us, questioning the $20 price tag (which I used to do A LOT).  However, this is now the seventh time this has been worn by a Thompson!  Everyone has worn it twice, except Ella. Sadly I think it may retire now, but it will always be special to me.

Evelyn was also good at the awkward trick-or-treat lingering.  She discovered at a few houses if you just keep standing there people will feel obligated to put more candy into your bucket!

We try to emphasize thankfulness when trick-or-treating.  To help with this, Matt and I established a rule that if you don't say "thank you" we take a piece of candy.  We remind them of the rule before we start, but then not again until we are all finished. (Nothing is more annoying than saying repeatedly, "what do you say..." at every house).  It may sound harsh, but it works.  The three oldest said thank you at every.single.house.

We finished up about 7:20 p.m.  It sounds early, but it had been dark and cold for much of our walking.  Once the sun went down Nathan kept complaining about his cold hands, and Evelyn kept calmly repeating, "me scared."

Don't worry, there was still much loot brought home!

Nathan, of course, counted his.  

I believe he came up with 84 pieces...or something in that ballpark.

We don't typically keep candy in our home, but we also don't get rid of (most) Halloween candy.  We try to live by an 80/20 rule, which basically means that we eat  healthy unprocessed foods at home, but if we're out or pick up an occasional pizza we don't have to freak out about it either.  So, the kids get about one piece a day as part of the 20.  The problem with this rule is that Matt has developed somewhat of habit of declaring much of what he eats as part of his 20.  My 20 may or may not be consisting of mini Snicker bars.

Addie decided to sort her candy as she counted it. She definitely had the most M&Ms! 

 

Ella didn't count hers because it's not super important to her.  Evelyn can only count to five, but she was just excited to eat candy.  Addie and she are definitely the reasons the treat buckets are stored on top of the kitchen cabinets!

The unanimous favorites of the night were the can of root beer and the homemade popcorn ball by our neighbor Miss Betty.

End result, it was a fun night!  I definitely respect others who choose to not participate in Halloween, and have considered that approach myself.  For now though I'm thankful that it can be a fun, safe, night out in our neighborhood.  In the future I want to humbly ask God for ways we can use this night to make fun memories and bless others...not just gather hoards of candy!