God’s World – what an appropriate title for a child’s first science book! AbiNoelle has soaked up each lesson this semester with Mrs. Reese as they have observed, explored, and examined. Each day has been filled with eye-popping pictures, the “WOW!” experiments, real-life stories, things to feel, see, and taste – What FUN! And it all has been centered around a simple phrase, Continue reading “The Book Choice Makes the Difference”
Who ever knew a kid could be so excited about achievement tests! Well, leave it to AbiNoelle to get excited about a test. It’s hard to believe that we are within a month of completing the K5 school year! Soon our little worker will finish that last page of seatwork (What a RELIEF!), look back at all she has accomplished this year, and with a smile of satisfaction be able to enjoy a good time of celebration with our homeschool group, friends, and family.
Just yesterday she came moping into where I was with a test paper Continue reading “It’s that time of year”
Don’t you love a good book? It has been a strong goal of ours to develop a love of learning in our daughter and one way of accomplishing that has been to provide good books and stories, whether it be in print, digital, or audio versions. AbiNoelle never turns down a good story! That’s why we agreed to a book review of I’d Rather Be Your Mommy by the Home School Adventure Co. Continue reading “I’d Rather Be Mommy Book Review”
I was a teenager and we were traveling throughout the awesome prairie and beautiful Rocky Mountains of Canada working with homeschoolers and Christian schools, when I was first introduced to the idea of vouchers. At first, many deemed it a blessing from God as the government freely and easily doled out hundreds and many times thousands of dollars to homeschool families each year to purchase curriculum, technology, or any other supplies for their school year. The money was so great initially and the regulations so few, that many families were actually burdened to find enough educational material for their children to use up all the funds given. As we observed, it became the set-up for the perfect
Continue reading “Should homeschooling be a “federal right”?”
It’s Inauguration Day! (Yes, we had to ask “What day is it, today?” about ten times before we learned that big word.)
From the exit at Blair House to the church service and then on to the Capitol, we took it all in somewhat in between all our regular school subjects.We even created a special Americana schoolwork area to help us get our classwork done and get in the spirit of this historical event.
The pageanty and significance make this an awesome event in history to view, but all the more real for AbiNoelle since she has personally walked those Capitol halls, stood in the Rotunda, and has sung on the steps of the Capitol!
Today, she clapped, and listened, and held her hand on her heart as we watched America enter a new era.
She learned as we created a special Inauguration Day book and practiced terms like, oath, Inauguration, Vice-President, Commander-in-Chief, and more!
She reflected on all that she had seen and heard:
I’m sure his [Trump’s] children are very proud of him!
Look at all those police guards!
If I were there, I would sit right next to Donald J. Trump.
Ahhh, her[Mrs.Trump] dress is so pretty.
If I were President, I would run this country like God told me to.
(When Trump said there was a new vision — America First — AbiNoelle said:) What’s America Second?
He[Trump] has such strong, great, powerful words….It’s just amazing!
I’m sure she [Mrs.Obama] must be sad, right now because her husband is not President anymore and he’s going to have to go get a job now so he can pay for their groceries.
(She even got a little mesmerized during Trump’s Inaugural Address and began to mimic all his hand gestures – that was too funny!)
Inauguration Day 2017! We are thankful to be an American and glad we could use this day as a teaching moment in Kindergarten! We pray for President Trump, his family, Vice-President Pence and his family. God Bless America!
The day was off to a typical start – Our DVD program began with Mrs. Reese welcoming the boys and girls to class for the day and the printer was humming with Mommy’s work efforts in the office. As Bible Time concluded, a pensive yet slightly emotional AbiNoelle rushed to my side and spilled out the depths of her heart in just four simple words. Continue reading “The new MLK. Are you bottom-up or top-down? What leads you – a hashtag?”
Memories were made and miles logged over this CHRISTmas season, and now, it is January 2017 with regular school days back in session, albeit, with a fresh little bit of spice for life in some new resources AbiNoelle enjoyed during the break. Some of the “NEW” expanded her imagination, others stretched those brain cells, but one we share and review today, Continue reading “Adding a few extras”
It seems like just yesterday that we met Mrs. Reese and now it’s already 2017 and Day 100 of K5 is tomorrow! You have never seen so much excitement when Skills time came today. Here we are huddling near the heater as we wait for 6 inches of snow that fell over the weekend to melt and Mrs. Reese delivers a most unusual surprise Continue reading “I need a little time alone to…”
From Mrs. Reese and K5 to levels of higher learning – she’s ready and excited! What a special blessing to visit and introduce our ole alma mater to AbiNoelle. How appropriate that we visit one of the places that we are so grateful for on this Thanksgiving Day.
Our day began with entrance into the beautiful Crown Center to join with the Pilgrims in praise and singing to God for all that He has done for us.
Next, came a fun time out on college field, enjoying fellowship and food at the alumni tent while watching the Turkey Bowl.
With a cheer in the last 10 seconds for a winning goal, we followed our noses to the Four Winds and enjoyed a scrumptious feast of turkey, ham, dressing, cranberries, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, and dessert. (Sorry, all that we left was the placemat – Mmmmm!)
The night ended in a Christmas fine arts performance! (It’s so fun to get all dressed up for a fine occasion. Sparkles and Shiny are always good for little girls!)
And in the midst of all that we even had time to sneak in a few moments to show AbiNoelle some of our favorite spots on campus. Her imagination took over as we investigated the One Room Schoolhouse and pretended to step back on the prairie for school time. “Teacher” AbiNoelle took a turn while Daddy sat on the disobedient stool and then “student” AbiNoelle practiced reading in a little desk.
The library also held a few other treasures – a copy of our own The Voice in the Wilderness magazine in the periodical section and the beautiful painting PopPop gave to the Hortons years ago.
What a day!….and to think that the most monumental happened the night before….
Our arrival to campus and Wednesday night church brought what will never be forgotten.
Early in the day, as we entered town, we stopped by the Academy (or should I say, Mrs. Reese’s school) – how exciting!
But nothing could compare with meeting Mrs. Reese!
At the first sighting of her (about 2 minutes before service started) the excitement could not be contained. Emotions spilled over and a few tears had to be dodged as we took our seats and church began. Knowing our hearts, we trust the Lord forgives a little one’s lack of attention to the message, for all she could manage were continuous peeks in her teacher’s direction to make sure she was still there. At the last note of dismissal, AbiNoelle dashed toward the seat of Mrs. Reese and called after her as she and Dr. Reese began to exit the auditorium towards our decided meeting place. “Mrs. Reese, Mrs. Reese!” she called. In a moment, Dr. Reese turned and said, “I think I hear “Reese” being called!” And then it was here….the most anticipated moment…AbiNoelle with her teacher, Mrs. Reese.
And then it began – conversation and memory making moments never to be forgotten.
AbiNoelle enjoyed sharing her special card (hand-written in her best cursive writing) with Mrs. Reese. Then came quiz time from the teacher!!
(R) What lesson are you on?
(A) Lesson 81!
And on it went!
(R) Did you just throw snowballs at me in the last lesson?
(A) [Giggle, giggle] Yes, I threw a bunch at you, Mrs. Reese!
(R) Was that really you!?! [giggle, giggle]
Oh, the fun! Mrs. Reese was so accommodating. She must have soooo many students, current and former, and yet she took time with just one and the impact will be long-lasting!
Surely a trip to remember. We are so THANKFUL!
And the cherry on top was AbiNoelle’s first look at the ocean….
….playing a beautiful handchime trio together in church….
…and giving a special Books of the Bible recitation.
PRAISE THE LORD!! Great things He hath done!
Homeschooling with a MISSION 
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