Lifestyle of Learning: Volumes 10 and 11 Condensed

For the past two weeks (March 31-April 13), our family has been having some really grand adventures.
For eight months we knew that we wanted to get Christian to South Korea for a bit of a stay.  On April 1st I decided that action was required because his window of opportunity was closing quickly.  So I purchased him a ticket and he departed for South Korea on April 3rd.  He will be there for a month and I have it on good authority that he is having some awesome experiences.
Keegan arrived for a visit on the 8th and we will soon be doing some traveling ourselves.
But even with all of this busy-ness life offers us many other opportunities.
Bishop and I continued taking a look at the human body.

We finished up the senses by exploring touch and taste.

We examined the parts of the skin.

We explored the circulatory system.

And that of the cat's.

We even made a model of the components of blood...

which inspired spontaneous experiments attempting to simulate digestion.

We played games.

Bishop continued working on merit badges (Chess, Crime Prevention and Family Life) for Boy Scouts and Maceo continued with choir.

Picture day for the choir.

Bishop figured out how to mend a sizable hole in the garage.

Bishop continued making progress on the Ranger's Apprentice series and Maceo began reading V for Vendetta.

And they both continued pursuing individual interests.  Maceo is still delving in to filmography and Bishop has developed an interest in steampunk and fabrication.

It is always an adventure around here.

I am learning so much!

A Little Bit of Spring

A little bit of spring indoors...

...and out.

I am loving it!

Happy Birthday, Christian!!!

Happy Birthday, to my wonderful first-born son!

This birthday finds you adventuring halfway around the world.

And, although I find myself missing the little birthday traditions that our family has established, I wouldn't have it any other way.

I pray that this adventure is a glorious one and I pray that your birthday celebration is a joyous one.

I know that your presence in my life is both joyous and glorious!

There were so many emotions that were felt when your Dad and I found out that we would have the awesome privilege and responsibility of being parents.

In your baby book your Dad wrote (in his own handwriting) that his first reaction was "very happy and anxious to see my first child.  I was happy to be a parent and raise a child."   I wrote that "I was very excited and happy but I was also very scared.  I was afraid that I might not make a good mother.  But I knew that I could and would love you with all my heart."  Through all the years that love has never wavered!

After a lengthy labor you finally arrived at 5:34pm!

"When I held you I couldn't believe how tiny you were - your fingers and nose were so small.  You were also so beautiful.  And, of course, I had to comment on your shoulders which were so broad that I had a difficult time delivering."

Your father chose your name.  Christian means "one who followed Christ" and Ulysses means "detester of dishonesty and injustice."

It is such a big name to live up to but I am certain, my son, that you are up to the challenge!

In your baby book I wrote, "Of course, our biggest hope was that you'd be born happy and healthy! But we also hoped that you would grow up feeling loved and being able to love in return.  We hoped you'd be successful; not "success" as society defines it (glory, fame, and fortune).  When we speak of success we mean finding something you enjoy doing and being good at it.  Most of all we hope you will love yourself, others and God and that you will forever be happy."

I still pray for health and happiness for you.

I still pray that you will love God with all your heart, mind and strength.

I still pray that you will love your neighbor as yourself.

I still pray that you pursue your passions fervently and, likewise, be rewarded with energetic enthusiasm, joy and satisfaction.

I love you, son, and am so proud of the man that you have become!

I wish you a happy birthday and hope that it has been joy-filled!

What a Pleasant Change

This is what it looked like in my neck of the woods less than two weeks ago on Palm Sunday.

And this is what it looks like today.

Tiny little bright green leaves on the tree in my front yard.

Fluffy buds on a neighbors tree.  This tree was abuzz with bees.  It was as if the tree was humming.

What a pleasant change!

Lifestyle of Learning: Volume 9

Much of what we did this week centered around Holy Week and deepening our understanding of  the glorious mystery of the Resurrection.  Recognizing the liturgical calendar is an essential part of our lifestyle of learning.  For our family, recognizing the liturgical calendar provides rhythm and encourages peace and joy.  We also find joy in pursuing individual interests, learning new things and fellowshipping with friends, which are all things that we managed to do this past week.
Here is a glimpse of our lifestyle of learning for the week of March 24-March 30.
It included a trip to The Discovery Center with some friends. 

Exhibits that explore the senses parallel some of Bishop's personal studies.

Exploring surface tension with bubbles.

Exploring the concept of pixels.

Our local news men.

Bishop is also the weatherman.

Actually, he is a dancing weatherman!

Quite possibly the zaniest theatrical performance ever!

Experiencing the wind tunnel.

We also went to 1984 - a video arcade reminiscent of the early 80's.
Besides working on reflexes, problem solving and fine motor skills Bishop also learned a little about the history of gaming technology.  It was fascinating to find the dates on the machines and then do a comparative analysis of their graphics.

Bishop had a great week in the kitchen - he created a Korean masterpiece, made 'crowns of thorns' from pretzels and chocolate, and made fresh lemonade.  He got a hankering for some lemonade, found a recipe and adapted it for his own purposes.  It was fantastic lemonade!

Bishop and I have continued making progress with our current read-aloud, "The Rangers Apprentice: Halt's Peril."  Maceo has continued his exploration of logic fallacies, has begun to study the history of the 1960's, and has continued developing storylines and characters for movie scripts.
I look forward to seeing what this next week holds for us (particularly in the kitchen, yum)!

A Happy and Joyous Easter!

Our Lord has risen!
He has risen indeed!

The pinnacle of the Christian calendar has arrived and a joyous celebration is most definitely in order!

Baskets overflowing, awaiting discovery!

The crowns of thorns have become nests for brightly colored eggs!

Unavailable on Good Friday but suddenly available on Easter Sunday - peculiar but yummy!

Easter basket discovery!

Bishop enjoying a new game!

Chili's for lunch - not a tradition but it sure was a fun addition to the day!

An Easter place setting.

The crown of thorns become nests for each place setting.

The tomb is empty! Alleluia!!!

My family wishes you a happy and joyous Easter!!!

Our Holy Week Happenings

There are a host of things that I like to do with my family during Holy Week in an effort to prepare our minds and hearts for the true joy of Easter.  I hope these things will help impress upon my children's hearts the scriptures and their glorious revelation of what our Saviour has done for us.
At the least, they have become traditions that bind our family together.
Here is a bit of what our family did during this past Holy Week.

We recognized Passover.

(For an explanation as to why we celebrate Passover you can check out my previous post).

We had a Lenten tea on Maundy Thursday.

(Although we tweaked the menu just a bit, this idea originated at Cottage Blessings).

We continued with our Jesus tree.

(This is a new addition to our Lent. The Jesus tree ornaments can be found here).

We set up our Stations of the Cross.

We had another Lenten tea on Good Friday.

We made crowns of thorns from pretzel sticks and chocolate.
We place them first on our family altar and on Easter they will become nests on the dinner table.

We also watched episodes of 'The Bible'
and Bishop and I went to a unique Good Friday service.
It was a week of investigation and introspection -
a suitable ending to Lent.