Homeschool Art

There is classical music playing in our basement, today. Paint, spilled out onto old container lids, being daubed with Q-tips onto an elaborate coloring sheet (found via Pinterest). The artist, would he feel honored by our study of his work?

I don't remember learning very much about great works of art or artists until high school. It amazes me to see my children enjoying this, this art appreciation. Quite a departure from our standard coloring sheets, they work and continue to glance back to my college art appreciation textbook. They focus. They remark on the details I don't expect them to notice. Painstakingly, they work.

This, is homeschooling.

 

Getting Silly

Growing up is overrated. Isn't it?

And getting silly with the kids.

It does a momma's heart so much good!

An Unexpected Lesson

Some of our best homeschool lessons are the ones unplanned. The ones we find along the way, sparking interest.

Today was to be a lesson about trees. I had a plan...

But on our way to watch the workers who are fixing the road that runs near our house, the kids found something amazing!

It was burrowed down in one of my yucca plants, but you really couldn't miss it. It was huge, about the size of a half dollar. And it had so many babies crawling all over it, that you could only see it's eyes!

Have you guessed yet?

A lovely little momma, don't you think? She's a wolf spider?

This is such a cool thing to see! 

I think a trip to the library for books about spiders is in our future. I guess trees can wait until we get our fill.

Counting our homeschool blessings.

Tears Kept, Tears Wept

My tears welled up as she sang today. A song about Jesus. His LOVE for us. Those tears had threatened all week. Tears for another friend, a dear one, whose college memories I share. A friend facing a devastating diagnosis, fighting a mighty battle. Tears that have the right to fall.

And I fought. I fought the tears. I kept them from falling. Blocking out the thoughts. Blocking out the song. Building a wall. Hardening my heart.

I looked around as she sang. Looked at stoic faces, tears of their own hiding behind the walls of their own making.

And I wondered why. A family, brothers and sisters… Husbands and wives… We all hide our tears.

Are we afraid? Are we afraid they will think us weak?

Could it be, the real strength lies with those who are not afraid to feel?

Perhaps the real gift is letting the tears fall where they may…

JOY!

Blessed

Found