Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real and Statues

Linking up with Like Mother, Like Daughter for PHFR and Clan Donaldson for Theme Thursday: Statues.

{pretty}

I've posted this picture before, but I just love it, so I have to re-post.

Greta, hugging the Mary statue at our church.

And, here's a shot of the whole Mary-Garden at our current parish.

{happy}

This picture makes me happy.   This is the Mary/Jesus statue in front of the Ave Maria School of Law in Naples.  It reminds me of happy times.   When we first moved down to Naples, I couldn't wait to be done, couldn't wait until Ben had graduated and finished and taken the bar.  But, we had some good times down there in Naples and we made some awesome friends, and I'll always look back on it as a very happy time.

{funny}

And, deviating from the statues theme.

There's a monster in our couch.

And, John is trying to save the Elsa from the Heidi-Monster while Greta watches.

{real}

And, you know you've made it as a parent when your kid can mow the lawn.

Real Learning...Homeschooling Philosophy Then and Now

Linking up with Micaela at California to Korea for Homeschooling Dreams: Share your educational philosophy.

Doing school with the Infant of  Prague

I used to have another blog.  Actually, I still have it, but I haven't blogged on it for a long time.  I started that blog back in March, 2010 and last blogged on it in 2011.  Back then I was more opinionated, back then I was more sure that my way, is the right way, the only way.  

Time and experience has softened me. 

Time and experience has taught me that there is more than one right way to raise children and more than one right way to educate them. 

I parent the way I do, because it works for us...but I no longer believe it is THE ONLY WAY.   

It is just the way we do things. 

And, way back on that blog...I wrote the following post.  I called it, Real Learning...and it was all about my homeschooling philosophy.  The Now-Me shudders at what the Then-Me wrote....because the Now-Me knows that Real Learning CAN happen in schools and it can happen at home.  I know that some children thrive in schools and some children thrive at home and it's all okay. 

I'm posting it here now...because some of this is still my philosophy and I've added in some additions/clarifications from the Now-Me (in blue).

Real Learning..March 7, 2010

Since my oldest daughter was just a tiny baby, I've always been attracted to the idea of homeschooling. As a college student, I spent a summer living with a Catholic, homeschooling family while I interned at a nearby museum. That Now-Me is not nearly as shy online as the Then-Me..so I'll just go ahead and tell all.  The museum I worked at was Plimoth Plantation.  How cool is that?...I worked at Plimoth Plantation, I didn't wear a costume and dress up though.   That was really my first "up close" look at homeschooling with regular, every-day, normal people....they listened to country music (which at the time, I loved.),  they wore regular clothes (no denim jumpers ;)), and their children were just normal kids (not super genius' nor special needs).  The lifestyle greatly attracted me.

Therefore, when my oldest hit three or so, and all the other playgroup mommies were looking at preschools, we opted to stay home.  The idea of dropping a little 3-yo (who was barely out of diapers and still not even weaned) off to hang out with a teacher and bunch of other 3-yo's just didn't appeal to me.   Then she turned 4...and we continued to opt out of preschool. The Now-Me would probably have no qualms about dropping a 4-year old off at a good, trustworthy preschool other than the fact that I would hate to be beholden to the preschool schedule...that would put too much of a cramp in our homeschooling style so we still opt out of preschool.  By the time she was officially "school-age"   (and yes,by then she had been weaned for some time) I felt we were firmly entrenched in the "homeschooling world".

Over the years, I've learned that homeschooling is not about "keeping my children out of school".  It's not about avoiding  "those horrible public schools" with all the horror stories you hear. For our family, homeschooling is a continuation of attachment parenting.   In some ways this is still true.  I know my weaknesses.  Once my children are weaned, and sleeping in their own rooms and generally, not so needy, I do struggle with attachment somewhat. Homeschooling helps ME in that regard.  I know LOTS of other parents are able to remain attached while using public/private schools, but I tend to be selfish with my time.  I tend to prefer to blog, or surf the internet, or do my own thing, rather than play with my kids or read them stories.  Homeschooling forces me to focus on THEM.  

It is about listening to our children and their needs, letting them learn at their own pace, free from worries about bullies and the teasing of other kids and boys being allowed into the girl's bathroom. (ok, so I guess there are parts of school we want to "protect' our children from).   It's about choosing to still be intricately involved in their education. It's about doing what works for each child, even if that means finding something new for child number two.  While we aren't unschoolers, we aren't strict "school-at-home" types, often choosing to follow the irresistible calling of a warm, sunny, spring day or dropping everything for impromptu playdates. This is still mostly true, although lately we've been moving into the classical mindset.  We've been learning through good books and classic stories and even memorization has its place.

Education is about much more than books and sometimes the best lessons learned happen without being planned.  I love the freedom that homeschooling gives our days, we aren't tied to school schedules or time-lines. We have freedom and time to pursue different interests and activities ...learning things like ice skating and tennis, theater and music and dance.   It is having the chance to observe snakes on hikes or writing stories on rainy afternoons. Still true...I think this freedom of time is one of the biggest draws for me towards homeschooling.  I love not being beholden to the school schedule.  Although now, money constraints prevent us from pursing a lot of those activities.  And, the socialization is the best kind there is, with people of all different ages, children of different ages and families who share our values.  Contrary to popular belief, I'm quite sure our children have more friends than they ever would in school. One of my favorite things about homeschooling is that we have more "family friends" instead of just "kid friends" and I make friends right alongside my kids. However, the family is still the core of our lives.  Sisters become the very best of friends and it is heart-warming to see an 8-yo teaching her little 5-yo sister how to read.  Change that to an 11-year old and 8-year old teaching their 5-year old brother to read, and it's still true...and still heartwarming. 

Not to say that everything is sunshine and roses, my house is always messy, and there are days I yell way too much and want nothing more than to drop everyone off for seven hours.  However, when it all comes down to it, we would choose real-learning at home, every time.  I'm not sure that I would choose it every time   If we had a really awesome, super great school (preferably Catholic) available to us...it would be a hard choice although I would probably still choose homeschooling.  One thing we've really gotten into the past few years are coops.  I LOVE having my children take just a few classes once a week from another teacher.  We've been very involved in coops over the last few years, and it's been an awesome experience and a great balance of learning from mom and learning from others  I feel that my years of education taught me nothing more than to pursue that 'A', to please teachers, turn my homework in on time, be quiet and obedient and follow the rules.   That is not what I want to teach my children. I want my children to learn that the sole purpose of education is not to get an A or please a teacher that you won't see again once the school year is over. This is still a prime reason why I homeschool.  I did great in school..straight A's, valedictorian...but once I got into the REAL WORLD, I didn't feel all that prepared.  All I was good at was school...so it was kinda a wake-up call when I didn't have school to be good at anymore and I wasn't really good at anything. 

By bells and many other similar techniques they (schools) teach that nothing is worth finishing. The gross error of this is progressive: if nothing is worth finishing then by extension nothing is worth starting either. Few children are so thick-skulled they miss the point. - John Taylor Gatto 

.

Education is the period during which you are being instructed by somebody you do not know, about something you do not want to know. - G k Chesterton

That G.K Chesterton sure has a way of putting things. 

How I Thrift

Have you been reading all my What I Wore Sunday posts...noticing that many of my clothes are thrifted and wondering how I do it??

Well, this is your lucky day, because now you can find out!

I have a guest post up  at Fine Linen and Purple on How I Thrift.  Check it out!!

Happy Birthday Ben!

Today is Ben's mid-30-something birthday.or maybe it's his 29th..I just can't remember which one. 

So, a very Happy Birthday to the most wonderful Husband and Father. 

He's intelligent, daring, hard-working, and the most gentle and patient father.   He is super Catholic, and definitely the Spiritual Leader of our family.  He is the perfect husband for me...just laid-back and mellow enough to balance out my high-strung craziness.   Plus, he's awesome at chess and  is teaching all our kids how to be chess-master /lawyers, so they can make tons of money and we can retire young.

He went to law school at the age of 33 and showed up all those young whipper-snappers by graduating in the top quarter of his class. .  

So, as a special birthday present...if all you out there in bloggy-land could say a few prayers for him (in general and specifically for bar passage and job searches)..that would be just awesome! 

When we first had kids, I was all into gentle discipline..but over the years, Ben blows me away in the patience department, he is usually the most patient and gentle one, while I'm the one losing my temper and yelling   loudly talking  ('cause remember..I gave up yelling). 

 Plus, he always makes me laugh...and is my number one blog fan (next to my mom, who actually PRINTS out all my blog posts...because she really does have to save EVERYTHING). 

And, he's got a sexy beard...I just love beards (on men..not so much on women).

He's just overall awesome!

Happy Birthday Ben!  

We love you!

WIWS: All is Vanity

Vanity of vanities, All is vanity!

So were the words from Ecclesiastes that greeted us this morning.   And, naturally, it made me think of WIWS.  Are my WIWS posts vanity?  I don't think so...I'm certainly no fashion plate model.  My clothes are not designer, and I'm just a regular, old, average-looking 35-year old mother of four. And, my body certainly shows those 4 kids...breasts that over the years, have probably made gallons of milk, a belly that is just a bit too soft, very definite child-bearing hips and we won't mention the varicose veins on my right leg. 

Generally, I'm the type of person who prefers to hide in the background, rather than be in the spotlight.  So every week I wonder, why the heck am I showing people what I wore Sunday....and who the heck cares what I wore Sunday.  But, I know (at least some) people enjoy reading and seeing WIWS...and I love reading and seeing what others post.  So, I continue on...showcasing my rather boring Sunday best.  Because, I do like the idea of putting on the best for Sunday. I didn't grow up with the idea that we needed to dress up for Sunday Mass.  The only rule we had, was that we weren't allowed to wear shorts.   No, the idea of dressing up for Sunday Mass was something I picked up once I left the uber-casual, very-stoic New England area.  

But, I like it. I like the idea of putting a little extra thought and care into what we wear to Mass...to receive Jesus.  And, I feel that dressing up for Mass, shows our kids that Mass is special, that's it different from other regular activities and that we should try to wear our best.  Not that there is anything wrong with coming in casual..but for us...we like to dress up.  And, writing WIWS, every Sunday, keeps me on target...and helps keep me up to Sunday best  (or at least Sunday better) standards. 

I do struggle with vanity..I think everyone does to some extent...but for me..taking pictures of WIWS, helps keep me humble..especially since I struggle with body image (which I might address in a future post). 

So, without any further blah, blah, blahing here is What I Wore Sunday.  I tend to be a rather boring dresser...so here is another black and tan, WIWS post. 

Next to the corn which is definitely not as high as an elephant's eye and does not look like it's climbing clear up to the sky.

Guess how much this whole outfit cost?  

Nothing, nada, zilch, zippo...you get the point (well, except the glasses). 

The shirt was given to me from some sort of clothing swap.  The skirt was given to me from someone to whom it no longer fits and the shoes (which you can't see very well, sorry)..were also given to me.   Glasses (same as always) are from Zenni.

Now, that you all saw WIWS, go see what all the other (much cooler and better dressed) bloggers wore at FLAP.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1.

John: I'm gonna share my money with Mom so I get more money.

Ben: Good theory...I'm gonna go share my money with Donald Trump.

Sadly, this is not my money.

2.

Yesterday, we drove back from Roanoke, VA (where Ben was taking the bar exam...please pray he passes!).  It only took us 17 hours..(for what should have been an 11-hour trip).   I blame this on Connecticut...where we were stuck in stop and go traffic for road work where no one was working at 9:00 PM.

That was us stuck on the left, looking longingly at those on the right. 

Not, to mention that other traffic jam we were stuck in, in CT....for who knows what reason.

Connecticut roads are NOT my friend.

3.

Elsa's church performance last weekend made her look like a saint, compared to the past few days.  Is it possible for a 10-month old to be going through the terrible two's?

Good thing she is cute.

Keeping it real with the messy hotel room.

4.
One thing I learned from our trip to VA, with just the younger 2 kids. Having two kids is harder than having 4...especially when one of those kids is a baby and not really able to play with the other kid.  Poor John was lost at the playground and the pool without his sisters.

Foot photobomb

5.

Does it make us lame  that if we go to a new city, we eat in the same restaurants three days in a row? Adventurous we are not.  If you are ever in Roanoke, I highly recommend Macados....great food, affordable, good service.   And, we're so boring, that once we find something we like, we stick with it.


6.

Awhile back, Ben made a vow that after the bar exam he would give up that poison he drinks called diet coke...and he's been faithful to that.  He went the whole trip yesterday (all 17 hours) without any diet coke (or other soda's).   Go Ben!!!

7.

The other day, Rebecca Frech blogged about how she doesn't like birth stories.   Well, I LOVE birth stories, but I hate weight loss stories.   For some reason, they just seem so personal to me.  Not sure, why hearing about birth isn't too personal, but someone's weight is.   I've watched The Biggest Loser and the show always makes me feel a bit uncomfortable..that the people are revealing this personal detail about themselves (their weight) on national television.   Clearly, I have issues.

Now, go see Jen for more quick takes.

Five Favorites from the Road

Linking up with Hallie and her gals for more Five Favorites

1.

Prayer

All the prayers of those out there in internet-world.  They really matter!  Thanks to everyone who prayed yesterday and today for Ben while he takes the bar exam.  While, we won't have the results for quite awhile, Ben said he could feel your prayers working yesterday as he did the essay portion of the exam.    So, thank you!

You all are the best!  Keep praying today for the multi-state multiple choice section. 

2.

Garmin Nuvi

Indispensable when you are driving in a new city....especially a city with lots of hills and winding roads and twists and turns.   What did we do before GPS technology?  Seriously?  Well, I know what I did...I got LOST all the time.

3.

Just chilling at the hotel this morning while Elsa takes a MUCH NEEDED nap, so I'm perusing all my blog favorites and came across this awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome blog post by Jennifer Fulweiler.  Never before, have a I read a blog, where I identified SO MUCH with the author.

Organizational Hacks for the Rest of Us. 

Skip reading if you are a neat freak that naturally folds all their towels with the folds facing out.   Read if you are like me, and fear for your life from an avalanche of pots falling out every time you open your cupboard or if you can't fold a fitted sheet to save your life.

4.

The Mountains

We're in the mountains again and I LOVE it.  I love hiking and forests and mountain streams and winding mountain roads.   People talk about if you'd rather live near the beach or the mountains.  I spent most of my life living near the beach...but I think I prefer the mountains...I love the quiet and the shade and the wildlife.  I love everything, except the ticks...but this is Five Favorites, so we won't talk about those.

5.

What's better than one cute baby?

Two cute babies?

Thankfully the baby in the mirror isn't nearly as destructive as the baby outside the mirror.