You are worried about seeing him spend his early years in doing nothing. What! Is it nothing to be happy? Nothing to skip, play, and run around all day long? Never in his life will he be so busy again.
~Jean-Jacques Rousseau
I love children...I love their use of imagination and creativity! Playing cars (with
car sounds, of course!), house, cafe/diner, making forts and houses, puppet shows and games...all part of childrens' winter play...as much time is spent in-doors. My children just love playing legos. My sister and I used to, as well!


Yesterday, at rest time, Jaxson tried to build a bit of a fort on the couch, to sleep in. He was having some trouble...so X came over to help him. Using pillows and a blanket for a roof...the fort was complete...and soon, Jaxson was sound asleep inside!

Although you can't see him, he *is* in there...snoring away! ;)

Then, the children made a fort in the playroom and asked for permission to sleep in it for the night. As the floors can get cold, at night, I had them ask their daddy for permission. He agreed, as long as they had plenty of covers to be kept warm. They were all asleep in no time...
Xavier was somewhere under this part of the fort (I don't know how that basket didn't topple over!)...

Madelyn, asleep in another section of the fort...

And Jaxson...snoozing, all cuddled up in a sleeping-bag...

Yes, I admit, I miss being a child! :) Funny, isn't it, that we will wish for the *freedom* of being a grown-up when we are children....but then once we
are grown-up, we realize the true time of freedom existed when we were children! That leads me on to this next thought...
"Real books from the library, a tub of art supplies, being read stories rich in vocabulary, a variety of good music, the daily discussion of God’s Word and how it relates to the world around him, and the attention of a loving parent who includes him in all the activities of real life are the secrets to a great learning experience for children."
Although I have heard of
Charlotte Mason for years, I never really looked, in depth, to her way of home education. Well, I have begun looking into it and I am
in love with her methods! This is my third year of homeschooling and I am finally realizing that it doesn't have to be about "proving to the school district that they are learning adequately". I was always trying to do everything
correctly. I am seeing that its about letting my children *learn* in the best way for each of them...
"living" books, nature studies, art appreciation, hymn studies, and overall...
education as an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.
HERE is Charlotte Mason's educational philosophy.
"Ideas are held in that thought-environment which surrounds the child as an atmosphere, which he breathes as his breath of life...."
~Charlotte Mason
"Let children alone-...the education of habit is successful in so far as it enables the mother to let her children alone, not teasing them with perpetual commands and directions - a running fire of Do and Don’t ; but letting them go their own way and grow, having first secured that they will go the right way and grow to fruitful purpose."
~Charlotte Mason
Oh how I am soaking all this in and plan on implementing it, immediately! What a beautiful, gentle, loving way of educating children! :) Goodness, how I wish I had looked into this
sooner! If you educate your children at home, have you used this method? If so, what have you thought of it? What are some ideas you have implemented and would like to share? :) I would love to hear them!
On a sad note...I went to town yesterday and gas, here, was $3.35! I was aghast! I know it will keep going up, as well...which just makes my stomach do flips. I *am* glad that I don't go many places and am more of a home-body. But my, oh, my how this will hurt so many. As gas prices go up...the price of food and clothing will go up, as well. :( I continue to stay in prayer for our country and our world. I hope you are, too.
Today, we will be schooling, cleaning, baking, reading and playing. My nephew is coming over to play, later on, which the children are looking forward to (especially Jaxson, as they are the same age and are *buddies*). Although it is
sleeting outside, we will stay warm and cozy, inside...enjoying the day!
***If you have a moment, today, please stop over and say hello to
Jewels. Today is her
birthday...she has brought joy to *so* many...so let's shower some love upon her, as well! :) Wishing you a beautiful day, Jewels! xo
Wishing each of *you* a beautiful day (and weekend), as well!
Laus Deo!
Katy
He must increase, but I must decrease. ~John 3:30