Life is Short ~ Collage Friday
Friday, September 28, 2012 at 5:00AM 
After last week I was TIRED. We had been going for eight solid weeks without a break.
Our curriculum this year is challenging. Couple that with teaching piano lessons part time and blogging (not to mention other volunteer commitments) and I have run myself ragged.
We have committed to activities for the kids that are worthy... things like children's chorus and baseball and co-op. It, however, was just getting to be TOO MUCH.
I gave myself permission to take a break, and that is what we did this week. LIFE IS SHORT. I don't want to live it frazzled and checking off boxes, but rather relaxed and enjoying the little moments of every day.
I love the picture of these deer in my front yard. They have been here all week. They are so majestic and peaceful. Maybe they were placed in my yard this week to teach me something. SLOW DOWN.
Another thing that hit me over the head this week was time spent with my son during my daughter's group theory piano lesson. In January of this year a precious 6 year old girl in our community died. She was friends with my son. They had gone to preschool together for four years. My son always joked that he was going to marry her. She was also homeschooled and I had many conversations with her mom about what homeschooling her older boys was like. This little girl died in a tragic accident. Her older brother is in this group piano class with my daughter.
During the class my son and I played ball the entire time. It was hot but my little guy was having so much fun. We laughed and had a wonderful time. I cherished that time with him. I knew that my friend who lost her little girl would have done ANYTHING to have that time with her little girl - to be playing with HER during that group piano class. It was a reminder to me that life is precious. We need to take the time with our children to enjoy them and enjoy the little moments. I could have been checking email, reading a magazine, or attending the weekly #hsbloggers Twitter chat. (Don't get me wrong, I love a good Twitter chat, but when I have a sweet boy asking me to play ball, I can tell you which I'd rather do!)
Life is short. Live it well.
This week was much more relaxed. We did continue math and read aloud A LOT. My son played A LOT. We spent more time with friends, took a field trip and slept in a couple mornings. It was a week of a lot of interest led learning. Anna is re-reading The Chronicles of Narnia and crafting a lot. Grant is researching anything and everything LEGO related.
It was a GOOD WEEK.
We took a field trip Monday to a natural history museum. Some friends from our co-op went with us... it was a chance to get to know them better, be silly, and just enjoy each other's company. I'm so thankful my friend asked me to go! The children did all kinds of hands-on science activities. My friend and I got to talk about things like taming our busy schedules and keeping the house clean. I'm thankful for friends.
I had the rare opportunity to spend an afternoon with just Anna. Grant had a birthday party with a friend, so Anna invited a friend of hers to spend the afternoon with us. Aren't they cute? They wanted to take a happy picture and then a serious, "old-timey" picture.
We went to eat Mexican and also shopped and packed a box for Operation Christmas Child. The girls and I had a great talk about the need to help others, and also the importance of denying ourselves some things so that we would have more to help others, too. We packed a box for a girl their age. We found a cute t-shirt, bracelets, barrettes, socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, and an Etch A Sketch.
My children don't know the meaning of POVERTY. They lead a comfortable life and I want them to know the joy that comes from giving generously to others. Operation Christmas Child is just one way to do that.
I'm proud to be a blogger for Samaritan's Purse! If you are packing shoeboxes, please join our Operation Christmas Child link-up!
We will be leaving on our trip to Colorado and Wyoming in just a week! We spent a lot of time reading aloud and learning about the Transcontinental Railorad and the Oregon Trail this week.
I will be attending the Lutheran Churches in Mission for Christ annual gathering for a couple of days while we are there. I am excited to learn more about our national church body and hopefully learn lots to share with our congreagation here in Georgia.
Right now I'm trying to expose the kids to a lot of information about the two states, as well as a couple of good read alouds:
Do you remember playing Oregon Trail when you were a kid? I do! Now they make an iPad app and also a Wii Game. The Wii Game is actually pretty challenging, so I think we are devoting a large chunk of Friday to learning to play. (This is my Favorite Resource This Week.) A friend at church also gave us a wall map of The Oregon Trail.
After a lot of reading aloud this week and talk of the Oregon Trail, Grant came to me one afternoon with a LEGO Conestoga Wagon -- oh how I LOVE LOVE LOVE LEGO bricks! It even included a secret compartment for a "Possibles Bag"!
Speaking of LEGO... I created a printable Create Your Own Mini Figure this week -- it has seemed to strike a chord with a lot of LEGO lovers out there. Download it here.
Blog Happenings This Week:
- How God's Word Hit Me Over The Head -- Enter to Win Grace for the Moment Devotional for your children.
- Irrational (but Understandable) Homeschool Fears, Part II
- Music in Your Homeschool With SQUILT - Lesson 3
How was your week? I'd love for your link your photo collages. Please be sure to grab a button or include a text link back to this post, then visit other bloggers in the linky. Collage Friday is turning into quite a fun community where we can gain ideas and support each other!
Reader Comments (27)
These are the weeks of yours I miss hearing about! There is always tons of learning going on, but your closeness as a family shines in your post! Have a great weekend!
Yes. Life is short! And it goes at the speed of light! Our week was a blur of swirling :) Love your Lego printable. Wonderful week and collages! Thank you for hosting and encouraging us Mary.
Your week sounded fabulous! So glad you got the chance to slow down and simply enjoy the journey. Was the field trip to Fernbank? We're almost through with the audio of The Silver Chair - we love The Chronicles! Blessings to you!
I believe so strongly that God puts things in our paths that we need. I needed this post. I am working on a post for Monday about some changes in our homeschooling and this just reinforces it. I love your deer Mary! That is amazing. That sweet girls family has been in my thoughts so often since that tragedy happened. It brought tears to my eyes to read what you wrote about playing with Grant. Love the collages. Looks like Anna and her friend had a blast. I know you are so excited about your upcoming trip!! What fun you will have.
Thanks for hosting the link-up...pushes me to finish up my week in a fun way!
We all have times we stop and realize how crazy we let ourselves get but only the wisest take the cue and slow down. You did a great job of allowing time to savor your week. Love the deer photo...we have a lot of deer in our neighborhood right now too. So beautiful.
I LOVED the Oregon Trail game as a kid! I think I was in the fourth grade when we did it in school so I'm planning this one for next year. :) Fun times!
Oh, my, that little girl and her family! It really does make you think about what is truly important...and it isn't things!
Wow! Look at that - a deer in your yard! We've had porcupine and some wild turkeys just down the road, but nothing like a deer.
A fun week! We have Oregon Trail on CD-rom and the kids like to play it. Never thought about Wii. That would be interesting! LOL
My heart goes out to that family. I am glad you had such a wonderful week. I can't wait to look up that wii game of oregon trail. You sure got lots of learning done.
Blessings, Dawn
Life is too short! Glad to hear you are choosing the good parts!
Operation Christmas child is one of our favorite holiday traditions!
It looks like you had a wonderful week, Mary! Full of lots of learning...and socialization! :) No homeschool fears in that department. I'm glad you had the chance to enjoy a little down time.
I admire all that your family does at home and in the community. I would love to be able to do this, but it has been difficult as a single mother, who works and homeschools. I pray one day soon that my children will see me contribute to our community. Your school weekly wrap-ups always reminds me of the importance of child directed learning . I love the Lego printable. Enjoy your trip and thank you for sharing.
Such sweet words of wisdom, "Life is short Live it well." It is so easy to get caught up in checking off the boxes of what we are teaching, that we forget to cherish all the fun, natural learning that goes on every day. Love the picture of the deer in your yard.
Mary, Mary, Mary- are you TRYING to make me cry this week? I am telling ya, I am GLAD to read that you took a break and enjoyed those precious kiddos of yours! Sickness made our family slow it down this week, and that is a good thing...funny how God always knows what he is doing with our time, huh? ;0)
What a nice relaxing week! Life is short and being with our families are what is important. Oh, that Oregon Trail game sounds intriguing. I'll have to check it out.
I remember playing Oregon Trail! I think it was on DOS, lol :D LOVED it though, except that I didn't like the suspense of not knowing who was going to die next, haha.
Yes, life is short, trying to scale back a bit and enjoy the journey of schooling a bit more, rather than rushing through to get everything done! SO sorry to hear about the little girl friend you guys lost :0( Prayers with the family!
I agree it's so easy for everything to become so busy! That's where we are right now, life is crazy. Fall always seems to be a busy time. My hubby and I are going away for a few days soon and we are looking forward to slowing down a bit. You had a great week enjoying your children!
I was feeling a little overwhelmed earlier this week. I also had to take some time to slow down and focus on what really matters! Blessings, Mary, and thanks for sharing this:)
Your weeks sounds absolutely lovely! I hope you have a fabulous time making memories with your family as you travel and the conference is a blessing to you and your congregation.
Blessings,
Nikki
P.S. Thank you for the LEGO mini figure page. My kids are LEGO crazy and they especially love mini figures.
Hi Mary, It's so fun that we have so much in common. I'm glad to know about this collage link-up and will be joining soon!
--Gena at ichoosejoy.org
Life is short. Live it well. Such true wonderful words. Nothing wrong with a good twitter chat - or earning money or homeschool curriculum for your kiddos - but whether we are working moms, SAHM, or a combo of both - it's so important to remember to slow down & CONNECT - enjoyed this look at your moments. My heart goes out to that family - God bless. Thanks for sharing.
I am so sorry you'd been feeling worn out, but it sounds like this beautiful week is just what you needed! Aren't deer in your own yard just so gorgeous?! We have them frequently and love them every time!
I bet you all are so very excited for your upcoming trip...I just know you'll have a great time!
Thanks for sharing this post at Favorite Resources. I hope you all have a great weekend :)
Sounds like it was time for a small break. I'm glad you took the time to slow down a little this week.
Your vacation sounds wonderful and I can't wait to read all about it!
Oddly enough, we are Lutheran too. I've not heard of the convention that you are attending though. But unless it is LCMS Lutheran we probably would not. Living in the LCMS home city means we only hear about LCMS events.
We are getting a slow start on packing our Operation Christmas Child boxes, but we collect for them all year round. So hopefully, it will be easy enough to assemble.
Enjoy your weekend!
Sounds like it was time for a small break. I'm glad you took the time to slow down a little this week.
Your vacation sounds wonderful and I can't wait to read all about it!
Oddly enough, we are Lutheran too. I've not heard of the convention that you are attending though. But unless it is LCMS Lutheran we probably would not. Living in the LCMS home city means we only hear about LCMS events.
We are getting a slow start on packing our Operation Christmas Child boxes, but we collect for them all year round. So hopefully, it will be easy enough to assemble.
Enjoy your weekend!
I appreciate these link-ups, too, because they encourage me to complete my posts. And my posts help me recall my blessings from the week. I was so sorry to read your post about your precious little friend. I was so stressed out putting my kids into bed tonight. Perspective.