The Cutest Ceiling Fans Ever

This is the style of fan that is in the box, waiting to be hung in the boys room.
This is the style of fan that is currently in L's room.

When we first saw these fans at Home Depot I thought they were for display only. They were so small. They reminded me of the miniature tents that some sporting goods stores use for display. Since Home Depot's fan and lighting area is super crammed, my first thought was that these were clever displays. Only they weren't miniature displays.

These are actual fans, in real life size that are for sale. And they are the perfect size for two of the bedrooms in our house. A and B's room along with L's room have slanted ceilings which means that a regular size fan does not fit well in the space available. Since we moved into our house there has been a spot, wired for a ceiling fan, but without a fan hooked up, in both bedrooms. Without a fan until recently, that is.

When we saw these 24 inch fans we were so happy to find fans that would fit their rooms! And they are so cute. I smile each time I walk by and see them. Why are miniature things so cute? I don't know, but they are. Even when the miniature thing is a ceiling fan.

Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas

This book was worth the 500+ pages. And that is a huge recommendation from me. These days I rarely read a book of that length. But this one was not only completed but was finished in under 6 weeks. Less than 6 weeks because it was due at the library and I didn't want to check it out again and because I had other things to read.

My book club read The Book Thief awhile back. That book opened my mind to pause and consider the impact of Hitler's regime on the German people. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas filled that openness in my mind with real historical facts and real people who lived and struggled during that dark time.

The book is well written, so readable, and packed full of history. Reading it caused my understanding of the impact of WWII to deepen and grow. And my appreciation for Dietrich Bonhoeffer has greatly increased. His faith so inspires me. Some specifics in Bonhoeffer's faith that moved me include:

• he taught children's Sunday Schools and believed that if one couldn't convey Biblical truth to children then a PhD didn't matter too much.
• his faith was deep enough to embolden him to make choices in serving God that to some might have seemed a contradiction, but to him were in line with putting God first in his life.
• he was known for his cheerfulness, gentleness and basically for good character. Right up to the end.

This book goes on my list of favorites. It goes on my list of books that I want my kid's to read. It is that good.

To hear how author Eric Metaxas met Jesus, click here. I love stories of how Jesus brings people to himself.

Spring Homeschool Routine

Now that Classical Conversations has wrapped up for this school year we have shifted into a new homeschool mode. What that means for us is that we are still doing school, but the pace and focus are different. Here is what this looks like for us right now:

C is finishing up 3 on-line courses through our local school district. She is able to work on her Algebra 1, Geometry and Driver’s Ed courses at home or occasionally at the local library. Those three classes are taking up a large majority of her time right now.

During breakfast we listen to our CC memory work from this past year.

After breakfast and clean up A and B watch a Khan Academy video. We are going through the Arithmetic course. Some of the videos are a review of what they already know, but it is good review and it is helpful for me to see how someone else teaches basic math procedures. Kahn Academy is great. And free which means it is super great.

Next we spend 30 minutes in quiet reading. I sit and read too. The theory is that children who grow up seeing their parents read tend to be readers themselves, right? I read, but often not when the kids are around, so this has been a way for them to actually see me read. Plus, it is like an appointment to read. How cool that, in this situation, being a good role model to my children feels like a reward to myself. Love that.

We use our reading time to listen to classical music as well. Last week we listened to Schubert. This week is Beethoven.

After reading we dive into math. B is finishing Saxon 3 and A Saxon 54. They boys do their math lesson the day before and then we go over it together. Any problems that they struggle with are gone over and explained until they are completed. Some days we don't get a math lesson done, but we aim to go through 5 lessons a week. Last week we completed 3 lessons. Math time takes about an hour or so.

After math we settle in with a documentary, biopics or history-based movie. So far we have watched movies on St. Patrick, Stonewall Jackson, Florence Nightengale and the history of the United States.

Then lunch.

After lunch the boys do their math lesson for the next day and then spend time playing.

For right now, that is what school looks like at Greenleaf Academy.

Goals With Room

As my cousin’s baby shower approached, my collection of items to decorate with grew. Fun plates found at a going out of business sale, ribbon in the pink and brown color scheme, adorable mini cupcake papers. Items gathered little by little and added to a tote.

As the decorating items were added, my excitement grew. A baby shower. What a joyful occasion! Yet I had some anxieties as well. M was going to be out of town and that meant I needed to decorate for the shower with all 4 kids in tow. C would, without a doubt, be a fantastic help, but the younger three would be, umm, well, it was uncertain what sort of help they would be. That was my concern.

A concern that rattled around in my mind without settling on a plan of action that felt comfortable to me. Finally it occurred to me that instead of trying to figure out “what to do with them” it would be much better to explain to them how their help would be needed. It would be better to have special jobs for each one.

One of the reasons we homeschool is so we can share life with each other. While I did not desire to or feel ready to share the responsibility for preparing for a baby shower with my 3 younger children, that was the situation at hand. They were going to be there. They would be present the entire time. Both during set up and during the actual shower. It was an experience to be shared with them, ready or not.

With apprehension, I explained to the kids about the shower, that they would be there, that I would be very busy setting up and that everything needed to stay nice… There were also special tasks where their help would be needed. They loved that. They loved being needed for a grown up event.

I did need their help. And they did get rowdy at times and have to be reigned in, but they helped me, they really did. A set up all the chairs. A, B and L filled the mini cupcake holders with chocolate covered coffee beans, cookies and almonds. It really was helpful. A little more chaotic than I prefer, but it worked and we did it together.

Due to the circumstances in our life there are numerous opportunities to incorporate our kids into my activities. Homeschooling means the kids are often with me. M’s job has seasons that are busy with travel and longer hours. That means that I often get to either include kids in activities that I likely would not otherwise choose to include them in. Including by either helping them get involved or helping them learn to entertain themselves in a room apart from me while I tend to other things.

Including the kids isn’t generally smooth and easy in the moment, but by embracing the momentary challenge, we are growing. The kids are learning to be quite helpful and I am learning to better appreciate them, to better work with where they are at developmentally. To better appreciate the unique qualities each one has to offer.

Most importantly, we are learning to live authentically with one another. They are learning who I am and that I have a life that has a place for them, although sometimes that place means they quietly (or somewhat quietly) watch a movie and put themselves (and each other) to bed when I have people over downstairs.

I am learning that my personal growth and fulfillment does not have to be put off because I have children. Life does have to be adjusted , but there is room for me to be a complete person and for my kids to be complete persons. There have been seasons when life felt limited in areas, where the needs of the kids felt so consuming that pursuing my personal goals seemed out of reach. By reevaluating those goals and readjusting, better goals are being set. Goals that have room for all of us.

Baby Shower

My cousin is expecting a baby girl in the near future. Here are some pics of the shower we recenlty had for her.

Chickpea Salad

Part of going to CC each week involved taking lunches. The boys love PB&J and never seem to tire of it. The girls and I are another story. Salads became a favorite of ours to pack. Salads with beans instead of just lettuce were a real plus because they seem to better maintain freshness. When I came across this Chickpea Salad recipe, it seemed worth trying. I tore the recipe out of a magazine and it would be nice to credit that magazine as the inspiration of what I made, but the name of the magazine is not on the scrap of paper with the recipe. Here is my version of the salad:

• about 4 cups red chickpeas. I prepare chickpeas the same way I prepare other beans.
• avocado diced into small chunks
• tomato chunks are optional, if used, it is suggested that they be fresh and preferably in-season
• 1 tsp cumin, give or take a bit
• 1-2 tsp Tabasco sauce
• chopped cilantro
• chopped chives
• 1/2 heaping tsp salt
• 3-4 T olive oil
• juice of one lemon

The recipe that inspired this salad shows a photo of the salad served in lettuce leaves-yum, but we just served it out of Feistaware and it was perfectly tasty. The lettuce leaves would be a nice touch though. Or serving it with a great flatbread would be nice.

A Graphic Novel Bible

We visit the local library each week. My boys are drawn to comic books and graphic novels. They love the drawings and the comic format appeals to them.

My approach to checking out library books is to pretty much let the kids check out what they want. I don't dictate it too much, although, in general we have regular conversations about what is appropriate to put into our minds and thus far they make fine decisions. The library has been a good opportunity for them to practice using discernment.

Yet, I have my own personal limits. That means they have to find someone else to read, read themselves, or just enjoy pictures in the books that are annoying to me. I don't read poorly written princess books or the like.

The graphic novels that the boys regularly pick out cause me some annoyance. Why get The Boxcar Kids graphic novel when you could read The Boxcar Kids book? But, it isn't a huge deal, it is just a matter of preference. There is nothing inherently wrong with the graphic novel version. And something in me must be changing or maybe it is a case of, "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em." Because I was the one that suggested we buy The Action Bible for A for his birthday.

Months ago a girl in B's class at CC brought The Action Bible to class and shared it for her oral presentation. After her presentation it was passed around the class. While flipping through the pages, I was drawn in. The book was so well done. The telling of Biblical stories seemed sound and the drawings were excellent. It won me over and after considering how much my boys enjoy graphic novels, we ordered The Action Bible.

A thoroughly enjoys it and my reluctant reader sits and reads this book on a regular basis. It is a joy to find something that draws a child into that wonderful world of reading. For right now The Action Bible is that something that is drawing A into reading and it is moving me to have a better appreciation for a style of book that I used to turn my nose up at.