Angela – Page 195 – Letters from Home

Fifteen!

I have a tradition of decorating the birthday child’s bedroom door. This year, I enlarged and printed some of Paige’s dance photos. I cut out the dancer, traced the cutout on dark paper and cut out again.

We decorated sugar cookies, went out to eat, and went shopping for clothes.

We ended the day with a chick flick with Paige’s best friend. We munched on Paige’s signature gourmet sandwiches and sat down to watch the 2009 BBC version of Emma.

The little brothers contributed sweet and thoughtful gifts. Timothy made a mouse out of Sculpey clay for her. Mark wrapped each gift… several days early.

Here is Paige playing Mazurka in G Minor by Chopin:

and Minuet in G Major by Beethoven:

Our Paige is quite a person.

artist

great big sister

helpful daughter

peacemaker

dancer

pianist

math wiz

beautiful

great sandwich maker

well-read

righteous

kind

Tempo di Menuetto

Here is Daniel playing Sonata Op. 49 No. 2 (Tempo di Menuetto) by Beethoven. Daniel worked very hard on his technique as he studied this piece. See if you can guess which part was his favorite.

My Life as a Schoolmarm

I’m a teacher of many grades. It’s been done before and it has been done more efficiently by countless schoolmarms in sparse schoolhouses without math manipulatives, microscopes, or the internet. I don’t count myself as being remarkable or unique, but it IS a very exciting life.

My subject matter ranges from early phonics lessons to Dante’s Inferno. In the same day I will answer questions such as, “What is a mushroom?” and ask, “How do roots help trees?” Later I will teach teach field markings for birds. Then I’ll correct errors in scientific method questions and give directions for a dissection at my kitchen table. I juggle time periods in history, algebraic algorithms, and geometric proofs. I drill basic addition and multiplication facts and direct Mark to color the longest snake orange and the shortest snake blue. I snicker at inventive stories and correct grammar in book reports; I dictate sentence after sentence for my young elementary student to write. I search out and make up thought-provoking essay questions for the study of classic literature.

Why do I do it?

I have insatiable curiosity, I perceive a necessity, and I love teaching.

Paige’s birds

Paige showed me some of the work she’s been doing in her studio (aka bedroom). These are ink drawings on watercolor paper which she has moistened with a brush to add some shading. She came up with this technique and I don’t know what to call it. Ink watercolor? The effect is subtle and ethereal and these scans don’t do them justice. I love the simple lines and softness of each.

Reverie

We recorded piano pieces back in May and today I want to begin sharing them. This is Paige playing Reverie by George Peter Tingley. It’s restful, reflective, and deeply moving. I’m grateful that I get to hear beautiful music from my children each day.

I hope you’re having a restful Sunday. I’m grateful for a sabbath day and God’s commandment to rest and keep a holy day each week.

Look who roamed the neighborhood today

I think the little pirate trekking through the neighborhood is the cutest thing I have seen all week.

The end.

A few facts about Introverts

This is a picture of me interacting with an ipod for the first time. It is also a picture of a classic introvert tuning out and recharging.

My friend introduced me to an article about how to care for your introvert . Although I didn’t agree with every word and attitude in the article, I thought I would share a few points with you.

Introverts are not necessarily shy, but they need to physically and mentally recharge after social situations.
Thought processes just might be a little more complicated for introverts, so quiet time is essential.
Trying to coax an introvert into talking about something before she’s ready is not going to make your introvert happy.
Introverts are more common among the gifted population. (Jus’ sayin’…)

I work to overcome my aversion to crowds, noise, and chit-chat. I realize that it’s a selfish attitude to think that embracing introversion is being “true” to myself. I try to foster an unselfish attitude and overcome my innate barriers to relationships and meaningful service to others.

But I will always love a long journal writing session…

Thriving

Where do you thrive?

I thrive where there is plenty for me to do.

I’m thriving because school’s in session.

I decorated the school room with Chinese lanterns and polka dots. After all, it’s not every day we have a kindergartener in our midst.

Thank goodness for friends across the street who also home educate their children so we can hold a multi-family recess, share lab supplies, draw on various skills, and save money on equipment. I know my friend needs a big paper cutter, but I am NOT going to buy her one because it gives us an excuse to be useful to her.

Someday her children will remember me as the lady with the paper cutter.

That’s okay.

I just want to be useful.

Goodbye sweet babies

Today we said goodbye to many of Paige’s childhood toys and dress up clothes. Tears were shed. She has kept them around for all the neighbor girls to play with when they come over, but this summer it became clear that we are out of space. Most toys were carefully wrapped and donated to special people and to our church thrift store. Other things were packed away in deep storage for me to pull out and play with when Paige moves out and I’m the only girl in the house.