Day Forty-Five

Today was our homeschool play day with friends at the park. I can't even express how much I love and appreciate these women. We have a bond that I pray will grow even stronger in the months to come. There is so sense of competition (as far as I can tell), but there are a few sets of ears who are willing to listen when you're having hard time.

This week I was flooded with doubts: Am I good enough? Can I do this? Are my kids going to be okay? Am I making a huge mistake? What's better for my children?

An afternoon at the park where we shared struggles and watched our children romp in the mucky fallen leaves confirmed to me that I have peace in this....I feel refreshed...a burden shared with fellow homeschooling moms resulted in a burden being lifted.

Everyday grace....priceless.

I actually decided to leave my camera at home, so this photo was from the previous day. We continue to enjoy the leaves from our maple trees. :)

Day Forty-Four

The question that I probably get the most often from those who are skeptical of homeschooling is this: "What does Simeon do when you're busy with the other boys?"

Well...he joins in and listens for Bible and History, he tags along on every outing and field trip, and he sometimes fills in the blanks when one of the older boys pauses while reciting a poem or a passage of scripture. When Aidan and Dominic are busy coloring or writing, he sometimes asks me to color with him or play our favorite game, "Bears on Squares". And I usually do that.

There are days when he needs more attention. Those are the days I try to stop, take an early break, and read him a book or play a game of chase. He's always nearby and I don't think he feels unloved.

Right now his favorite color is pink and his favorite number is three. He's my baby and life at home wouldn't be the same without my Simeon Paxton, my peace child. I know I'm overprotective of him (sometimes to my fault)...it's really hard not to be at times. But that's for another day.

Day Forty-Three

After school today we worked hard at raking leaves. We also played hard while we were jumping in the piles of leaves that we had raked. Between the two maple trees that are deeply rooted in our property, we have no shortage of work...and enjoyment.

The fall season has been marvelous this year. The colors seem more brilliant than ever...but maybe that's just because I've forgotten the beauty of last year. One of the poems that the boys have memorized this year is by Emily Dickinson. She observes that in this season "The maple wears a gayer scarf"... and we've seen that to be true. I'm thankful for"our" maple trees.

The photo:

Me: "Hey boys! Smile!"

The Boys: You can see the result of that for yourselves.

Day Forty-Two

Aidan had his first official swimming lesson (without parents).

Dominic had his first official reading lesson in which he actually cooperated for the entire time!

Simeon learned that your fly is actually not a third pocket.

A lot more happened. This was a great moment. I laughed really hard (and that's good medicine...or so I've heard).

"Mama, will you please put my bunny in this pocket?"

Day Forty-One

I thank God for my husband and his mad pumpkin-carving skills. The boys drew out their designs on paper and Papa carved them into the pumpkins.

Day Forty

The boys got to don their costumes and we headed out for the annual trick-or-treating fiesta put on by the Downtown Corvallis Association. Since I don't get in the photos often, I asked a kind woman to snap a picture. Not bad. :)

Day Thirty-Nine

The bulk of our day was spent in finishing up the Halloween costumes. I don't know if I'll ever be motivated to do this again. And yet, the reaction from the boys was worth it.

Aidan "Mama, thank you SO much for sewing my costume."

During my breaks from sewing, I gazed at our maple tree. It's pretty amazing.