November and December are quite possibly my very favorite months to homeschool. The colder weather outside sort of gives us permission to be inside, dress in warm and cozy clothing, spend more time in the kitchen cooking and baking, and read together. And I love that during November and December we get to have a special focus on the months' holidays. Here are a few things we are doing this month to make it special:
Read MoreLately I have been wondering how, with three boys, to help them each develop in their own people...I guess I'm trying to find ways to help them develop their own identities and hope they don't compare themselves to each other. With homeschool we spend a lot of time together (which is wonderful), but maybe it's in part from welcoming a new sweet babe into our family, but I really miss one-on-one time. I think I'm especially sensitive about it with our second son Abraham--I just don't want him to feel or be lost in the middle!
Read MoreWe welcomed our precious Jedidiah Hunter Riley on Tuesday, August 8th at 11:18 p.m.! We couldn't feel more blessed to have this precious angel join our family. Truly, he could not be more angelic! I am so grateful to be his mama.
Read MoreSaturday we all loaded up in the car and drove up the canyon for a little fishing. I'm not into fishing (although I love me some fish!), but for Jeremiah, fly fishing is his thing. We brought a quilt for me to hang out on and Matthew's fly rod too, and the boys were just ecstatic to have a lesson from daddy! Watching them follow Jeremiah and try to imitate him in every way really is the sweetest thing to me. I always tell Jeremiah that they are little men in training. I can be off doing whatever thing, but they are both glued to whatever dad is doing.
Read MoreWith some difficulty (not a morning person) I rise around 7 each morning and get started on breakfast. This morning Ellie surprised me with eggs ready. She's my early bird and frequently helps in this way, knowing how much it helps her morning zombie of a mama out. (Mamas of young children - easier days - they are coming)! By the time breakfast is ready, the younger kids are up and Gavin (15) joins us with a little help. ;) We've all agreed we prefer to get going somewhat early so that we can move through our day at an unhurried pace and have time for what matters.
Read MoreWe are getting ready to head out of town, but I wanted to briefly share about the United Nations CSW (Commission on the Status of Women) conference, documents are being produced that refer to children as “burdens;” with the expressed desire to have the efforts (unpaid care and domestic work) usually performed by mothers “reduced and redistributed” to “national care systems” (the government). Please see the link here. This cannot be! I wish I were able to hug mothers everywhere who struggle, because the truth is, it's hard work! But I cannot think of a greater work that I could be doing. It makes me cringe to hear children referred to as "burdens," and I want to stand up and shout in support of home and family!
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