Using Fonics is Phun

Found this on the floor outside Jacob's room one night. He knows he's not allowed to put tape on the walls, so I guess he figured it was just as effective if he left it on the floor.


If you can read this, you spend way too much time with early elementary school kids.

Pioneer Clubs

The kids had their little end of the year celebration at church after completing Pioneer Clubs for the school year. They had an award ceremony where the kids recited their Bible verses and received their badges. Jacob had earned four badges and I had to iron them on a special T-shirt prior to the ceremony. Of course, we got to church that evening and one of the badges had already fallen off; I suspected someone had been picking at it until it was completely removed. Why did I suspect this? Because two more of the badges were just barely hanging on, and his shirt was soggy from the spit he had used to try to "stick" them back on. Needless to say, he went to the ceremony with only one remaining badge attached to his shirt, and two wet spots where the other badges used to be. I don't know that I will ever get used to having a boy....

Merrilee's badges were permanently affixed to a banner, thankfully! She finished up the second grade program and was eagerly looking forward to being in the third grade program next year. As it stands now, that won't be happening. She's joined the gymnastics team which practices on Wednesday nights. That's a story for another post.

After the ceremony, the kids changed into their swim clothes and headed outside to get wet! Katie Mei came along with us because Daddy wasn't home. I didn't even think to pack her swimsuit, so I just went ahead and let her get wet in the clothes she had on. She didn't seem to mind! She's not used to playing in a kiddie pool with other little kids, so she was a little surprised that the other kids took the bottles of blowing bubbles into the pool and decided to use them to make a bubble bath instead of blowing them. On top of that, one of the more agressive boys took a bottle of bubbles suds and dumped it over Katie Mei's head. She was more baffled than anything and was at a loss for words. Fortunately there were not episodes of bubbles in the eyes or anything, and everyone played nicely.


The kids had great fun, and I am very thankful for the folks at church who take the time to prepare lessons and teach our children God's word.

Native American Culture Festival

Back in April our local Chehaw Park had its annual Native American Culture Festival and I decided to take the kids to see it. We have a family pass to the zoo, and since this event took place at the zoo, we were in for free!

We don't have any Native American links in our family history, but I still love to expose the children to many other cultures. Since we've talked about the Native Americans and different tribes several times in our study of American history, I thought this would be a delightful way to experience some of what they'd heard about.

We enjoyed the music, dance, and attire of different tribes from across America, and ooohed and aaaahed over the elaborate beadwork on some of the clothes.

The children in the crowd were given the opportunity to do some of the dances with the performers, and though my kids were a little shy about getting out there (who woulda thunk?!), they did it, and had a good time!

After the performances the Snake Man gave a talk about the local snakes and brought out some diamondback rattlesnakes. His purpose was to demonstrate how they are not out to attack humans, but are actually not really even conscious of our presence unless they're bothered and need to protect themselves. He was a rather inspirational speaker and I really enjoyed his talk, but when I went up to thank him afterwards I was a bit disappointed in his demeanor. I think he likes snakes much more than he likes people.

His wife was very kind, however, and was willing to talk and answer questions. I asked her if a baby rattlesnake resembles the adult (thought that would be good to know, since we seem to live in rattlesnake country--two dead in our cul-de-sac already this spring) and she happily pulled out a little box with a baby rattlesnake in it. I was encouraged to see that the baby looks exactly like the adult, but when she decided to open the box on the ground about 18 inches from my kids and then accidentally let the snake fall out, I was a bit taken aback. It took her a few moments of flustered grabbing with a stick to finally get the happy-to-be-free critter back in its box. It was one of those Thank You Lord moments when you're really grateful a fun situation didn't turn bad.

After all the talking and a little shopping for souvenirs (a bracelet for Merrilee, a drum for Katie Mei, and a headband with a feather for Jacob), we went to the different demonstration centers.

The kids favorite was a very kind man who showed my children how to start a fire with a drill bow. Fortunately, it was just complicated enough that I don't think I have to worry about Jacob trying to do it on his own.

My kids asked some really great questions and showed a lot of interest in the man's display, so much so that he allowed them to step over his "do not cross" rope and look at all his stuff. It was really cool, and I have to admit, I was really proud of my two. I think being homeschooled adds a dimension of maturity with other adults that classroom schooled kids don't often have. Several of the folks doing demonstrations asked me if my kids were homeschooled (there were lots of other kids there because this was the day the event was open to the schools), and they commented that they can usually tell the homeschoolers by their deeper interest and more thought provoking questions. Merrilee and Jacob really enjoyed listening and learning from this man.

The TeePee was an added bonus, and they all wanted one for our own backyard. I reminded them that they have pop up tents at home to play with.

The woman who was demonstrating weaving with her diminutive loom engaged a small crowd of children. As we were all standing there, the other mom of these four blond heads walked up and introduced herself. She was also a member of our homeschool association. We HS moms sure love to take the teaching outside to events like this, don't we?

And finally we got to really see how a spinning wheel works and learn how to spin some natural fibers. This woman had wool from different animals, as well as cotton. We talked about staining the fibers and somehow got on the topic of their different properties. When she found out we had a microscope at home, she gave us samples of her different wools and cotton and told us to take them to look at. How generous!

We had such a great time that afternoon, and the kids and I look forward to next year when we can learn even more about Native American Culture and life in the expanding Old West.

I am still so impressed with all that the Albany area has to offer. I cannot understand it when folks complain about living here and say "There's nothing to do." Southwest Georgia may not be a suburb of Atlanta, but it sure does have wonderful opportunities for getting out there and enjoying life!

Another Little One Goes Home

Our family has been praying for Chrissie since we learned about her last month. She fought a valiant fight, and her mother faithfully stayed by her side through all of it. But yesterday Chrissie's struggle to hang on to this earthly life ended.

For those of you who prayed for Chrissie, your prayers were not in vain. Prayer is not just a way to get what we want from God, but a means by which He draws us closer to Himself. Many, many people were touched by Chrissie's life, and God used her circumstances to work on hearts.

And ultimately, the prayers for healing for Chrissie were answered. She is now made whole again. She is not in pain. Her body can no longer fail her. And most joyful of all, those who loved her and who claim Jesus as their savior from the penalty of sin, will once again be with her when they too are called home.

Prayer is not temporal. It is not always answered in a way that brings us happiness and satisfaction in the here and now. But it always answered by a loving and all wise God. And it changes lives.

Please continue to lift up Chrissie's family as they plan for her funeral. They grieve deeply.

www.allarepreciousinhissight.blogspot.com

Thank you.

Love,
Petrie

Reunion with Friends!

Sometimes the unexpected and unplanned turns out the be the most fun! I was reading a friend's blog early last week (a friend whose family goes to the same church we went to in MD) and she posted that they were down in Florida, practically in our backyard, nationally speaking. So I emailed her and invited her family to stay with us if they had time to make the slight detour. Well, to my delight, she and her husband took us up on the offer and made the trek to our house with their five kids in tow!

Now you might recall that five plus three equals eight, and after thinking it through and adding in four adults, might come to the conclusion that I have lost my mind. Or you might think that we live in a mansion with more than four bedrooms and I am the hostess with the mostess. Neither of these is true. What is true is that friends are friends, and when God blesses you with the opportunity to show hospitality and enjoy the blessing of Christian fellowship, nothing stands in the way.

In fewer than 24 hours we had great fun watching the kids play in the pool, enjoy Katie Mei and Lily Kate getting to know one another, eating delicious Southwest Georgia barbeque, and catch up on each other's lives.


Jay grabbed a pile of barbeque from Meatslangers (good stuff!) and a couple boxes of ice cream sandwiches, and everyone was happy!

For those of you who don't know, Katie Mei and Lily Kate are nine days apart in age, were adopted through the same agency, and our families received referrals within a month of one another. But the story goes a little deeper than that. I won't go into all the detail here, but we saw Lily Kate's photo before we ever saw Katie Mei's, and I fell in love with her. It was with great joy that I found out Lily Kate was going to be adopted by a family in our own church. So Lily Kate holds a special place in my heart and I'm so glad she and Katie Mei could spend time together.

All the kids enjoyed getting to know one another again. They hadn't really spent much time together since Merrilee and Jacob stayed at their house when I took Katie Mei for a medical appointment after her release from the hospital last year. Merrilee looks up to Marla as a big sister and was so blessed to be able to spend time learning a song on the piano and have a sleep over with her. Jacob was about over the moon to have three boys to play with!

After everyone was tuckered out and about ready for bed, the older kids went upstairs to watch a movie, and the little girls stayed downstairs and colored and played at the table. I never would have known we had eight kids in the house. My three kids alone are much louder than Tracie and Dave's five! It was a wonderful evening of fellowship and conversation.

And by God's good Providence, I just happened to have a blueberry muffin mix, plenty of cereal and milk, and lots of fresh fruit on hand. So we enjoyed a beautiful morning of smiles and cheer and full bellies before our dear friends had to go on their way. It made worship on Sunday morning all the more blessed as I gave thanks for the impromptu visit and reunion with friends in Christ.

Tracie and Dave, thank you so much for taking the time to share your family with us! I look forward to being able to have you over again!

They Learn by Example

Most of our mornings homeschooling are somewhat disjointed because Katie Mei doesn't often play well by herself. She can be clingy and I usually have to interrupt preceedings with the older children to find activities to keep Katie Mei busy. But one particular morning in early April I was pleasantly surprised to find that she had come up with her own activity as she began setting the table for a meal with her bears. I thought it was darling so I grabbed my camera and began to snap a few photos of her going about her business. She invited me to join, but I politely declined, and she turned her interest back to her guests. I thought the entire event was just cute, until the end. Then it really hit me that even in the day to day grind, our little ones pick up what's really important.

What are homeschooling parents thinking?

Found this link to another homeschooling mom's blog today and wanted to share it with the rest of you...

http://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/2010/04/public-school-parents-guide-to.html