So EXCITED!!!

I have been thinking about changing our curriculum for the girls. We have used Five in A Row for the last couple years, and have really enjoyed it. The concept is just what we needed, and the girls have thrived. However, this year they seemed to grow hungry for more substance in their learning. So I began to look around, and ask questions of fellow home schoolers. I found some information about Charlotte Mason and became very intrigued. I started to search around for more information and guidance on this method of homeschooling. I did found a couple sites, but found them a little confusing and hard to follow. Then I found Simply Charlotte Mason. Oh my goodness is this site fantastic! It is so well organized, easy to follow & full of useful information. I have been downloading Sonja's free e-books to learn as much as possible about the CM method. Once I got through those, I purchased the planning guide; which is an amazing tool no matter what curriculum you use. I have been so engrossed in it, learning as much as I can so I can begin using it properly in the Fall. I can't wait!! Where has this been my whole homeschooling life? LOL The principles behind CM's theory and method are exactly what I want for our girls. I want them to be independent thinkers with a love and thirst for knowledge. I want them to have the freedom to grow and to learn within the well defined "fencing" that I have laid out. I hear more and more from friends with older children and college professors how the kids who graduate high school today are great test takers, but not so good at creating theories and thinking outside the box; that they can't summarize what they've learned properly. I don't want that for my girls. Tests are a great way at figuring where a child is at that moment in time, a snapshot of that day. I would rather the girls ingest anything and everything they can from the world around them, and be more informed. Be able to take the test and do well, not from cramming but because they have spent the time truly learning it.
This site has also helped me to see where I have gone wrong in my attempts at creating a calm and stress free home. I am learning how to better handle the different situations that arise with calm authority to create a more loving environment. I have also purchased a book recommended by Sonja as a curriculum guide for personal development, "Peacemaking for Families" by Ken Sande. I have not finished the book yet, but Oh My Goodness is it a great book if you are looking to handle life's conflict better.
So there you have what I have spent all my free time on lately. I just can't quench this new thirst for Simply Charlotte Mason!!!

ahhhhhh....

Sitting on my back covered patio, watching my girls swim and enjoying this gorgeous sunshine. Life just could not be better! I love how lush the yard looks, everything filling in so nicely. My lilacs are starting to bloom, and the day lilies are not far behind. This is such a wonderful season, watching life come alive each day. I am almost done planting the annuals too. I have decided to scale back a bit and do a few large pots instead of several smaller; aiming for simpler this year. And I am pleased so far. I just love the fabric I chose for the cushions. Everything is looking so pretty, how can I not sit here and smile?
Gearing up for a relaxing holiday weekend, finishing up on some yard work, enjoying family time and a BBQ Sunday with friends and family. I hope you all enjoy a happy, healthy safe and fun weekend!!!
Suzanne

Monday Musings

What a weekend!!! We left Friday afternoon with another dance family about 4pm for a 5 hour trip to Maryland for the girls to compete at the Fair Hill Highland Dance Competition. After arriving rather late and getting to bed, we woke at 6am to get to the competition by 8am. After the normal rush to get ready, we spent the morning sitting in the hot but glorious sunshine and watched our girls dance. (I applied sun screen on them twice, completely forgot to do my chest area which got totally burnt :( BUT the dancers did not get any, so at least I did that right!!!) They did fabulous!! We had a little break between the conclusion of dancing and awards so we walked around the games a bit. I so enjoy the festivals! So many wonderful vendors and so much to see and do. We had the yummiest Ice Cream I've ever tasted!!! And then at awards our day got even better!! My youngest took 2nd, (2) 3rds and a 4th in her dances and my oldest took 2nd, 3rd and 4th in hers!!! They both placed in all their dances, and I am so proud of them. They have been working pretty hard, and they were so excited and happy. Made the craziness of getting there and back all worth it!! We left shortly after awards to head home as the other mom with us had to work Sunday, so we got back home around 9:30 Saturday night. Of course, I was exhausted; but woke up Sunday morning and headed straight to the garden which is where I spent my whole day. So this am I am tired and sore but I got ALL my plants and seeds in yesterday. And it looks fantastic! I am behind by about a week thanks to all the rain last week, so I really wanted to get them all in. Today I am going to get the rest of my plants to put in. I start all our pepper and tomato plants (over 100 plants!) from organic seeds myself and plant organic seeds for cucumbers and peas and beans. I don't need a full seed packet of lettuce and squash so I get those plants from a local organic farm.
And of course there is another busy week on tap this week to. My only free day with nothing planned is Friday. :( Looks like I'll be busy again!!!
Happy Monday :)
Suzanne