children's book monday: grasshopper on the road

"A New House" in Grasshopper on the Road

by Arnold Lobel

 

 

This week, I am (finally) continuing my 26 reviews on the Literature selections from TJ's Kindergarten Curriculum.

 

:: This week's Letter/Science Topic/Bible Truth is "Aa", Apple, If I stay in Jesus I will have much fruit ::

 

This is a short and simple story about Grasshopper (who is ready to have lunch) taking a big bite out of Worm's house (an apple).

Worm tells Grasshopper, "It is not polite to eat a person's house." Grasshopper apologizes to Worm, but just as his apology comes out, the apple starts to roll down hill. Worm calls for help, and then describes in hilarious-to-a-5-year-old-terms, what is happening to his house as it rolls down hill, "my bathtub is in the living room...I am getting dizzy...my attic is in the cellar!"

Once the apple makes it to the bottom of the hill, it is not much of a house anymore. Grasshopper feels very sorry for Worm, but Worm assures Grasshopper, "It was old, and it had a big bite in it anyway." And Grasshopper watches Worm climb to the top of a tree, filled with apples, to find a new house.

Then Grasshopper smiles, and goes on down the road.

This is a very funny story, that was easy to read with aloud in a silly, wormy voice. There were many giggles as we read this together. As an activity, TJ (and Wesley and Ben) drew Worm's new Apple House...making sure to put all the furniture in the proper place!

You can read all of my Kindergarten Literature reviews here.

a lifestyle of learning

The idea of this post started out as 'Why We Homeschool Year Round.'

But then, as I started to sift through my thoughts, so many things came to mind as to why we do, indeed, homeschool year round,...that I came to the conclusion that education has just become a way of life for us.

Schooling year round, doesn't actually mean we 'do' school year round. It just means that we are always learning, and we have a few extra months to 'get through the book, or, in some instances, start the next book early.'

On days when we don't actually 'do' school, two things happen: 1. things get a little hectic from the lack of schedule and 2. learning happens anyway.

If you don't believe me...you can ask my kindergartner. He has already learned most of the things Kindergarten is supposed to teach you...and I haven't really 'taught' him a thing!

I heart homeschooling!

the family altar

... or How We Do Family Worship

 

Last January we made the decision to make Family Worship a priority. Up until that point, we didn't even realize it should be a priority. We thought going to church, and making sure we taught the subject of Bible during our homeschool day was enough. Then we read Family Driven Faith. And we knew some things had to change. Baucham dedicated an entire chapter of his book to this subject. It's that important. He calls it a multi-sensory experience, somewhat like what I have written before on Marking Our Homes for God.

 

 

This is how we have done it...almost every night now for 10 months. It will look different for your family. I just want to give an example, because I have been asked about it a few times.

 

Family Worship is the last thing we do before we tuck our children into bed.

 

We start with prayer. One of the boys will usually pray. We have taught them to ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance as we study the Bible. They will usually add a few things of their own.

 

 

Then we go over our Scripture Memory Box. The kids take turns...a lot of times, we end up saying some together...or Brian will give the first word, or two, or five.

 

We just recently started Catechizing the kids. It's very odd to me, but it is important to Brian, and after a few months, I can see why. This is a very good post on this subject.

Then we sing. A Hymn or two, and usually Wesley will request 'Zacchaeus Was A Wee Little Man' or Ben will request 'Jesus Loves Me' (Hymnals are on our Christmas List)

Then we read from the Bible. Right now we are working through Acts. But we are about half way through this plan (yes, we're aware the year is almost over). We will usually go around the room, as Brian, myself, and each reading child reads a chapter. For the children that don't read, we will say a single verse, and they will repeat it (with a big smile). This is somewhat painful and slow, but worth it.

Then we will discuss what we have read. The girls and Connor (and me) usually have a few questions, Wesley will usually ask if there was a Zebra in the story or if the Romans killed Jesus. Kylie sometimes answers Brian's questions with Veggie Tales lyrics. And then Brian will remind everyone that this is Family Worship, and we are to take it seriously. And we do.

Then we will pray again. Brian always prays this time. He will include any requests we are currently praying for. Our list is very long right now.

I will admit, that at first this all seemed unnatural. It was odd to sing, and pray, and read the Bible aloud as a family. But now, it feels unnatural to tuck the kids in bed at night without it. It's a very special part of our day. It shows the kids what is really important to us, and it lays the groundwork for them to do the same thing with their families when they are grown.

isms, October 2010

who's winning now, dad? - tj (a minute into the football game)


momma, you look coot! - benjamin (as he stares at my new nightgown)


my husband better not be too romantic, and he better wear pajamas to bed - kylie


momma, when it snows...i'll come out and mow up the grass, ok? - wesley


we build sentences with letters and pencils - korinne (from her english lesson...which was looking for the answers: words and phrases)


ki meee momma! - benjamin (as he is tucked in bed)


dad, what color are the eagle's helmets? black or green? - connor (completely random)


who's winning now, dad? - tj (a little later into the football game)


i am NOT marrying an arkansas man! - korinne (as she wonders if her future husband will travel with her Military Family)


dad, what team did you play in high school? the panthers? - connor (completely random)


who's winning now, dad? - tj (a few more minutes into the football game)


hug meee momma! - benjamin (as we walk away from tucking him into bed)


why do i need to find the area of this figure? when am i ever going to need to know how to find the area of this figure? - kylie (as she stares at a trapezoid with and oval in it...good point, Kylie)


who's winning now, dad? - tj (about 10 minutes into the football game)


why you going to the doctor momma? to get 'anothum' baby? - wesley (as if I'd be going to the doctor for any other reason...atleast he was happy and smiley as he asked hopefully)


dad, when does high school play football? the day after thursday? - connor (completely random)


ki meee momma! - Benjamin (once I pull away from the hug)


dad, what team has a white face mask and white helmets and a blue stripe down the middle? - connor (completely random)

i learned that i didn't listen at all the first time we read this... - korinne (as we ask for questions/comments after re-reading Acts 13 during Family Worship)
da-da...mu-mu...ra-er...ug - baby judah

daybook, october 24th

Outside my Window...it's dark and a little breezy, I can hear the leaves rustling just a little, every once in a while, and I'm paranoid because Suzanne warned me of storms (OK, she just asked about the weather, but I feel warned)...

 

What We're Learning...the founding of Jamestown and the Flight to Egypt, NO MATH this week!

I am thankful for...a few wonderful friends who bless me with their words of encouragement

From the kitchen...we had my quick and easy standby: red potatoes, green beans, and smoked sausage all boiled together...YUM! the kids just eat it up (which makes me feel like SuperDinner Mom)

I am wearing...my new purple and white snowflake jammies which Benjamin says are, 'coot'

I am reading...The Witch of Blackbird Pond and The Courage of Sarah Noble to the kids and I have this sitting on my bedside table waiting for me

I am praying...for Ms. Nellie, Greg, Roy, Trey, Edie, my Grandma, my parents, and a good week

 

I am creating...plans to attend Relevant 2011 with my previously mentioned wonderfully encouraging friends, you can see why here

I am hearing...

Christy on the TV

 

I am remembering...that God doesn't give me more than I can handle

 

I am going...to keep remembering it too!

 

On my mind...Cinnamon, and her family's sacrifice for us

Noticing that...Monday is much faster at getting here than Friday

One of my favorite things...(Two)...Veritas Press' Bible and History curriculums, they make the Teacher in me happy, now...if they would just make some Science Cards... (P.S. If you happen to use Veritas Press materials too, please leave me a comment, so we can get to know each other...I'm starting to think I'm the only Homeschooling Mom out there using them, which makes me feel like I know something really grand and need to share it with all of you, or I know nothing at all...I'm choosing that I know something really grand, and you should all give Veritas Press a try!)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Simplicity in it's simplest form

daybook, october 11th

 Outside my Window...waaay too hot for mid October, but I enjoyed the nice weather with my family this weekend!

What We're Learning...ummm...we've been OFF school since last Thursday, but this week brings Explorers of the Northeast and Simeon Meets The Christ

I am thankful for...a possible end to our Church search. We enjoyed our Sunday morning very much!

From the kitchen...we had grilled, barbecued chicken and baked potatoes for dinner (by Brian)

I am wearing...my old, comfy, yellow, butterfly nightgown. TJ tells me it's his Favorite all the time :)

I am reading...I haven't picked up a thing but Children's Books now for weeks, the last one I read was Go, Dog. Go! to Benjamin

I am praying...for that 1%

I am creating...lesson plans for a short but full week of school

I am hearing...Brian sighing as he tries to finish up his paper on Acts 1:8

I am remembering...the words of my friend, Kristin, as she speaks directly to me in her latest post

I am going...to be home the next few days...lots of park and playground outings, Nutcracker rehearsals, Cub Scout meetings, church, and store runs these last few days, I need to be home

On my mind...how to: Stop 'coming to Church'. And BE THE CHURCH. We like that idea!

Noticing that...getting some sleep makes me feel a whole lot better...I went to bed at 9 PM last night, didn't get up until 6 AM, and then took a 2 hour nap this afternoon. I feel good.

One of my favorite things...is watching my kids play. It makes me smile, and, "Smiling's my Favorite!"

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...ballet, and Brian has stinkin' Battle Assembly this weekend. Boo!

when my mom calls

I speak to my Mom on the phone pretty regularly.

Most of the time we talk about nothing at all. She tells me how her and my Dad are doing, I tell her how the kids are doing, when Brian's next trip out of town is, and I usually share some of my 'homemaking' struggles with her (she was a homemaker for most of my childhood, and usually understands exactly what I'm going through).

Sometimes, though, my Mom calls with 'News'.

She calls with 'News' of a new job, or 'News' of new expected baby, or 'News' of an engagement celebration. But she also has to call me with the bad 'News'. She had to call me when my uncle passed away, she has to call me when someone is diagnosed with cancer (again), she has to call me when babies are born straight into the arms of Jesus. It is not easy for her, and she will usually start crying before she can tell me everything, and I will usually cry with her.

And I fumble with words. Because I'm just heartbroken. And because I am down here.

.........

I grew up as part of a family which meant great grandparents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and then this unique group of family friends. My parents had friends. These friends were like more aunts and uncles to me. They loved me, and I loved them. These friends had children that were like more cousins to me. They also loved me, and I loved them. I was so close to some of them, that it was almost like having another big brother and sister, and more little sisters.

My Mom called today to tell me 'News' that my friend, who is like a cousin, who was really like another big brother's son is sick. And I fumbled for words. And I am heartbroken. And I am praying. But I am still down here. Some 500 or so miles away, a good 9 hour drive.

And I say things like, "It doesn't really matter that I'm down here, there's not a lot I could do up there." And I think things like, "It's been so long since I have seen him anyway."

But, it doesn't change the fact that I still long to be home when there is 'News'. I long to be a present part of the large, extended family that I came from.

As my Mom and I end our phone call, we usually end up agreeing that God has placed me exactly where I am supposed to be. That I have a purpose to fulfill. And, obviously some of that purpose is to be a Military Wife. Which means I will live away from home most of my adult life. Because the place where I belong is (down) here. With my husband, who is providing for his family and serving his country. And it is a very good place to be.

But my heart will always belong in two places.

busy at home

the sound of the dryer softly tumbling

the smell of ground beef and onion

the sound of my phone chiming a voicemail

the taste of strong coffee

the smell of crayola crayons and glue sticks and markers

the sound of the dishes clanging in the dishwasher

the sound of children playing 'family' (or bickering)

the sight of piles of freshly washed clothes in heaps on my bed

the taste of animal crackers and goldfish

the sound of the pencil sharpener whirring and pencils scratching paper

the feel of soft, chubby baby cheeks and wet toddler kisses, "Ki Mee Momma"

the smell of outside on little boys

the sight of an entire year of our life, as it slide shows on the computer (I stop and watch, hypnotic every time)

the smell of tide and downy wafting from the laundry room

the sound of leap frog, "A B C D" ...

the feel of silky hair as I twist into ballerina buns

the sight of school papers, and books, and drawings absolutely everywhere I look, everywhere

the sound of singing, "Hear ye, hear ye, listen to the history..."

the smell of dove soap and cornstarch baby powder

parenting road block ahead

I LOVE my Boys. I LOVE them.

But, it's official. I've hit a Parenting Road Block.

I have a 2 year old telling me, "NO!" Over everything. Even things he means to say, "YES!" to, he's telling me, "NO!" It's exhausting. And I argue, and beg, and plead for him to obey.

I have a 3 year old that is easily angered. And he hollers. A lot. And I get angry right back. And holler too.

I have a 5 year old that is stubborn. Strong willed. Whatever you want to call it. He doesn't back down. I do.

As I struggle to figure this out, the only thing I can come up with, is that it has to be me.

I give in to 2 year old's "NO!", because it's easy, and it's immediate relief (for me). I deal with 3 year old's anger and hollering by firing right back. 5 year old's strong will wins, and I lose every time. These Rowdy Boys of mine have it made.

But their Momma is tired. And their home life is suffering. There are six other people living under this roof, and I don't think we want the Preschoolers in charge.

I'm thinking it's time to discipline God's way.

...and maybe finish that book that I've been working on for almost a year now.

"Discipline your son in his early years while there is hope. If you don't, you will ruin his life." - Proverbs 19:18 TLB
 

I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on discipline and parenting boys. How do you keep the peace in your home?