Kalen's Interests

Kalen Alexander Morrison is a colorful boy. He is unique and refreshing. He is funny and compassionate. He can make all us smile at the drop of a hat. He loves creatures, especially small ones he can put in his hand. He loves to be outside and is always up for exploring.  His favorite color is green.

Kalen, or Kale, as his daddy sometimes calls him, loves to be a helper. He loves helping Scott outside with some type of work or play. His dad is his hero.  Kalen speaks of Scott all throughout the day.  As you know, he is excellent in the kitchen and always wants to be involved with baking and meal preparation. He thinks about what others need and anticipates. Just this morning, he made Julian's bed for him. That is the third time this week he has chosen to do that good deed.

Kalen loves Where's Waldo books. He likes to be read to. He likes to learn and be a part of our homeschool. He is crazy about the computer. He also likes puzzles. Kalenroo, as I sometimes call him, enjoys Art and music. He will also sit and watch animal and other nature documentaries along with Julian.

I asked him what he is most interested in and he told me this, "Mommy, I like alligators, sharks and I really like bugs. I like cooking with you and I like zebras. I like music and drums, too." That about sums it all up. :)

Madelyn's Interests

Madelyn took these two photos.  :)



Madelyn Virginia Morrison . . .
She has many interests, just as her brother Julian does.  When I think about Maddie, I think of her love for her brothers.  I think of how she likes to care for them, play with them and live amongst them.  Her brothers are her best friends.  She seems to really love caring for her many dolls as well.  Maddie likes birds. She enjoys writing notes to encourage others or just telling them hello.    She enjoys music and dancing.  She likes flowers and gardening.  She has recently been enjoying Legos and the marble track blocks.  She enjoys good books and being a part of our homeschool.  Madelyn also enjoys photography.  She is very good at taking photos with our camera.  

She is not a serious child.  She can be rather silly like her Daddy.  She is more calm than the rest of the kids.  

When I asked Madelyn what she is most interested in, she said,  "I like flamingos, tea parties, and art.  I like to wash dishes.  I like dance.  I also like pianos and violins."

Julian's Interests

This is one of Julian's most recent marble tracks.  
This is JJ with some little dinosaur puzzle-like figures.  


This is a stack of Julian's books to return to the library.

I have been reading a lot and thinking about the importance of really knowing the interests of my children. In a homeschooling setting, this can truly lend itself to tons of creativity, expression, mastering and acquiring new skills. I think that it is vitally important to study our children. Listening to our children ramble, instead of cutting them off, can prove to be truly educational for us as parents.

I sat and just concentrated on each of my children the other night, just trying to get an overall picture of their "bent" and their interests. I'll share my thoughts . . .

Our Julian. Julian is a guy that is talented at putting things together. He enjoys maps. He is an amazing auditory learner. He can read with ease and desire. He likes art and music. He is incredible with the computer and his Gameboy. He loves thinking about animals. Even as a little one, at age 3 1/2, he would sit and watch documentaries having to do with animals. He knows a lot about creatures, he is good with facts. He wouldn't be real excited about being in the same area as a Velociraptor or a Lion, but could tell you several things about one. Julian enjoys history and science. He enjoys being free outdoors. JJ likes to ride his bike or his scooter and enjoys others to join him.  He also has his own bow and arrows that he enjoys practicing with.

Julian is loyal and full of potential.  He is an early riser and ready for most tasks put before him.  He is imaginative.  He is a good friend and thoughtful.  He has a good heart.

Just recently, JJ is really into setting up our wooden marble track. It is a really cool activity that is fun and makes him and the other kids think.

He is not a calm child. He has to be busy with something. His body is almost always moving. He is healthy and alert all the day long.

I asked Julian what he is in to these days, and he gave me a nice list of things. He said, "I like snakes, lizards, squirrels, alligators, dragons, knights, playing Legos, reading all day and putting things together."

Knowing Julian Jeremiah fully can allow me to teach and love him better. If I can tap into those interests with love and an atmosphere of discovery and exploration, man, that would be divine.

Happy As Can Be

One of my new friends here in Durham told me about this store in Raleigh, The Homeschool Gathering Place, that sells homeschooling supplies. I had been needing some specific items to help us carry out our homeschooling here at home. I have to reevaluate what I am doing every once and a while. The kids fly right through some areas of our learning, others they need more manipulatives and such to help explore more. Oh, if you ever want to contribute to the Carolina Academy of Liberal Arts (that is our school name, as registered within our state) fund, I can get you our address. Ha, only kidding.

Scott said he would tag along this past Saturday to check out this place. We were so delighted to finally find the store, as we don't usually travel into Raleigh that much. Yes, we are home bodies. Scott and I chuckled quite a bit as we noticed that there for four to five vans parked outside this store. This was a good sign.

We were overwhelmed as soon as we stepped in. Half of the store was new stuff, the other half was consigned curriculum, books and other materials that people had brought in. Ah, the chance to reuse alone was exciting! Our kids were so patient as we walked around that place for 2 hours. Did I mention it was overwhelming? But it was so wonderful! We did find several things that I had needed and several things that would really aid me as I guide our children in math, science and cursive writing for Julian. I was so excited, like a kid in a candy store. Scott was super sweet throughout the whole experience. He helped me wade through a lot of stuff. He purchased quite a bit for us. I was so thankful. What a treat for me! Yes, when you get to be almost 30 and you have four children you are trying to homeschool, picking out materials to use is quite thrilling!

Thanks Kim!

Lucy

Lucy Van Pelt works hard at being bossy, crabby and selfish. She is loud and yells a lot. Her smiles and motives are rarely pure. She's a know-it-all who dispenses advice whether you want it or not--and for Charlie Brown, there's a charge. She's a fussbudget, in the true sense of the word. She's a real grouch, with only one or two soft spots, and both of them may be Schroeder, who prefers Beethoven. As she sees it, hers is the only way. The absence of logic in her arguments holds a kind of shining lunacy. When it comes to compliments, Lucy only likes receiving them. If she's paying one--or even smiling--she's probably up to something devious.

I am so familiar with this character from growing up. Sometimes you might as well call me Lucy. Now granted, I don't go around calling people Blockheads, but the grouchiness does surface daily. Today, I pray not to be a Lucy. As I seek to guide these children every day, I don't want to appear bossy, crabby or overbearing. I would love for people, especially my family, to see me as an amazing unconditional giver. I pray often for a lighthearted attitude towards life. I think Lucy just has this tough shell, super tough, not at all soft and gentle.

As I live my days, I see that it is easy to harden my heart towards things or people. I grow tired and weary. Ah, to love with the love of Jesus. To have a soft heart that is full of compassion, generosity, and humility. I don't think that Lucy has one ounce of humility within her.

God, help me to capture the spirit of Jesus. I want to continually have that tenderness that is so full of love and a willingness to meet people where they are. Renew my heart. Help me to shake the fussiness that comes with child rearing and homeschooling. May I be a light and not a finger pointer. Amen.

Cookie Recipe

I gave out this recipe earlier today to a couple of friends.  I thought I would go ahead and post it.

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c softened Earth Balance (can get this at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods or other health food store)

1 c sugar ( I use raw sugar)

1/2 c brown sugar

2 eggs ( my egg substitute for eggs is 1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp of water then mix~ so you would do this two times then add to creamy mixture)

2 tsp vanilla

2 1/3 cups flour ( I use unbleached white)

1 tsp salt ( I use sea salt)

1 tsp baking soda

2 cups of choc chips (sometimes I use less)

*can add 1 c chopped walnuts or shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 375.  Cream together softened Earth Balance, sugars, egg substitute (already mixed), and vanilla till fluffy.  Combine flour, salt and baking soda and stir into creamed mixture.  Stir in choc chips.  Add walnuts or coconut if desired.  Drop from teaspoon 2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheets.  Bake for 10 minutes.  Makes 6 dozen cookies.  

Barack Obama

My friend Emily put this video on her blog today.  I am an Obama fan and thought it was nice and insightful.   

A couple of days ago I watched Obama's speech that he gave at Martin Luther King Jr.' s church in Atlanta.  You can find it on You Tube.  It is pretty long, but so powerful.  I was captivated by this man's words.  I don't usually allow myself to get involved with politics.  Barack Obama has a way about him that seems different.  Of course, as Emily said in her blog, this guy is not without faults, but who is?  He is a politician that has brought me to tears and given hope.  I think that is noteworthy.

Barack Obama

Gotta Love Field Trips

One of the perks of our homeschool is that we take a field trip to the Museum of Life and Science every Wednesday.  I love having the freedom to do this with my kids.  

I really enjoyed watching my kid's love of creatures today.  We have been to the museum several times and they are still amazed time after time.  Their love of learning and exploring is contagious.  

They were especially taken with the butterfly house today.  They each were able to hold two or three different types of butterflies.  Julian, Kalen and Madelyn are so gentle with them.  They tried to help Brady hold one as well.  I love that they know how to handle and respect the gorgeous beauties that fluttered all around us.  I can't tell you how enchanting it feels to have butterflies just flying right around you as you walk.  

This was a lab where the kids learned about iron by using magnets and Total cereal.  

Pickle Juice and Snow

Yesterday, Scott dared me to drink the pickle juice that was leftover in our pickle jar. I told him I would for maybe $50. He turned to our adventurous son, Kalen, and asked him if he would. No sooner did Scott get the words out of his mouth, Kalen grabbed the jar from his Dad and took a big gulp. Scott got out a $5, I told him, "Oh no, you said $10!" So, Kalen was handed a ten dollar bill for accepting the challenge. We won't be teaching Kalen the Truth or Dare game until he is . . . in his twenties. The photo I took is a little out of focus, but you can still make out what just transpired.

We DID get some snow!! Hearing the words, "It's snowing," is almost startling in Durham. We miss how typical it is to see snow in Boone. We received a good dusting. Enough to make you want to make soup and just stay warm and cozy watching by the window. The kids were anxious to get out in it, of course. They are use to suiting up for a blizzard whenever there is snow. Poor things, I didn't have a heart to tell them that they would have been fine out there in their tennis shoes. They put on their big Lands End snow boots and were ready for action.

Life

Just sharing a little life with you all.