Quick Takes - Volume 2

--- 1 ---

The basement is done! It's been mostly done since Monday, but now it's official -- I am unpacked and moved in and organized, with the exception of hanging things on the walls. And I'm not sure how much of that I'm going to do -- it doesn't seem worth it if we're likely moving again in a year, but it does make it seem more homey.

Before ...

... and after!

Before ...

... and after!

Before ...

... and after!

Okay, I know I'm a little neurotic about the plastic bins, but doesn't it look beautiful!?! And they're all labeled!

And there's room to jump this winter!

I can once again tell you where everything is in my house. (sigh of relief). Tranquillitas ordinis!

--- 2 ---

Now that the house is organized, I am ready to start planning the school year. (sigh ... not of relief). I do have most of my books. And I am really excited about using these for the first time.

--- 3 ---

I am also really excited about our new language arts program.

TLP offers literature-based, discovery style learning designed for Christian education. Our authors select exceptional literature and integrate the separate parts of language arts: spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and writing, as well as critical thinking and communication.

I'm most excited about the integrated approach to the various language arts subjects -- instead of having separate workbooks for spelling/vocabulary, grammar, handwriting, phonics, and reading comprehension, which we have had in the past, all of these subjects are in one workbook, and all of the lessons are based on a work of literature -- we're starting with The Courage of Sarah Noble.

Has anyone else tried this program?

--- 4 ---

I came across this quote from the Greek philosopher Plato this week:

The most effective kind of education is that a child should play amongst lovely things.

I started to think about the lovely things I wanted my children to play amongst: nature, music, and art. Besides getting outside as often as possible (which sometimes isn't all that often in the cold Minnesota winters with an infant), we are going to try and have fresh cut flowers on the table as often as possible. We are also going to choose one composer each month to learn about. We'll start with a biography and then listen to and become familiar with various compositions during dinner time once or twice a week. (Listening to something together during dinner has been a huge blessing in my effort to lessen the noise factor around here in the evenings!) We are also going to continue using Artistic Pursuits for art -- this year we're doing stories of artists and their art. When I was little one could check out framed prints at our local library. I wonder if they still do that? That would be a great inexpensive way to get art in our home.

What lovely things do you surround your little ones with?

--- 5 ---

My girls both dance competitively and have received about fifty medals and ribbons each already! I came across them when I was unpacking and now they're sitting in a box on my desk. Does anybody have any clever ideas of what to do with all of them?

--- 6 ---

Another first for The Baby:

the Johnny Jump Up!

--- 7 ---

My friend John posted some awesome commercials on his blog today. I don't know anything about the organization Catholics Come Home, but if their commercials are any indication ... check it out!

For more Quick Takes visit here.