{The Homeschool Mother's Journal 5 - Summer Edition}

In My Life This Week

This week we enjoyed a relaxing 4^th of July holiday.  I spent way less time on Twitter and Facebook (which is a good thing - trying to find a good balance).  We didn’t have any VBS this week for the first time in a while – which was nice.  I did a whole truck load of laundry, because…

Places We’re Going and People We’re Seeing

As I write this we are driving to Ohio – ROAD TRIP! (I am not driving and typing, just to be clear.)  We are looking forward to seeing Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and friends.  It is the first road trip I’ve taken with the kids (actually the first one I’ve taken as an adult).  So far so good…the kids have been super-duper considering the long day we have had.

My Favorite Thing This Week

We had the biggest turn-out yet at the parenting class we lead at church…22 people!  I love seeing couples that are willing to invest time and energy in improving their families.

Things I’m Working On

Not a whole lot - just enjoying the summer and making memories with my kids!

I’m Reading

Nothing in particular, other than the bible – who has time?

I’m Praying For

A sweet family that I have come to know through a mutual friend, were hit by a drunk driver on their vacation in Georgia on July 1.  They lost one of their precious daughters, and their other three children are still recovering in the hospital.  The littlest boy has a diagnosis of paralysis below the neck.  Please join me in praying for their continued healing and strength.

A Photo, Video, Link, or Quote to Share

This is precious to me!  It brings back sweet childhood memories...barefoot in real grass full of dandelions (at a KY rest stop).  Can't wait to have them catch some lightning bugs while we are up North!!

Scrapbooking our summer memories

What's not to love about scrapbooking?  

Especially when it's a summer activity to keep your new first grader busy.

And it's totally educational...art, spelling, handwriting, figuring out those rolly-scrapbook-tape-things (science?).

Only takes a few supplies (and a 40% off coupon to Joann's).  I bought a 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 pre-cut pad to make it easy for her to mat the photos.  Genius.

The final product - too cute for words and great memories!

Yes, she wrote "By Abigail B." on every page...completely adorable.

Summer Bible Study

Although we aren't doing formal homeschool during the summer, I wanted to continue to make bible study with my children a priority.  I usually make time after breakfast, when we are all at the table together.  I especially love including our preschooler, he's a little sponge!

(Yep, that's me...with no makeup)

For the summer we have started reading the book of Proverbs.  This particular morning, we were reading in Proverbs 2.

I read each verse, and then discussed with them what it means (hopefully in a way they can relate to).

Proverbs 2

1 My child, listen to what I say, 

and treasure my commands.

(We talked about treasure and how it's important to treasure what God's tells us)

2 Tune your ears to wisdom,
and concentrate on understanding.

(I talked about how we can tune our ears like a radio station to God's wisdom, and how we use our eyes to "concentrate" on things - hand movements are helpful here - I had them put their hands on their ears and over their eyes like they were searching.)

3 Cry out for insight,
and ask for understanding.

(We use our mouths to call out and ask God for help - we used our hands around our mouths to act like we were calling out.)

4 Search for them as you would for silver;
seek them like hidden treasures.

(We talked about being like pirates that search for the treasures of God!)

5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
and you will gain knowledge of God.

It's amazing how reading through the scriptures with the kids touches my heart.  I have come back to these verses several times over the last couple days, to remind myself that I need to be using all my senses to pursue God and His wisdom.

Do we miss some mornings?  Yes.  

Do we make it through a whole chapter?  Sometimes, but mostly I judgeeir interest level, I want it to be fun and engaging...so if I start getting the "are we done yets" I usually finish up with a review of what we read.

Most of the time my 5 year old wants to read part of the chapter by herself - yay!  It's great reading practice as well.  

Do you study the bible with your children?  What time of day/approach works best for your family?

Linking up with Good Morning Girls - Women in the Word Wednesdays and WFMW @ We Are That Family