Good Morning Sunshine

Joshua loves to come crawl into our bed almost every morning around 6:30.  He usually wakes up with a delightful smile and loves affection, but he gets pretty upset if there is no one there. He obviously woke up on the wrong side this day.

Seminary Graduation

 One of Jared's assignments on the high council is to supervise seminary graduation.  This year he Rebecca joined with us as she "graduated" from her first year.  She worked hard to memorize all of the scripture mastery scriptures and involved some of the family too.  I found some of them put to  song online (http://lds.about.com/od/seminary/a/scripture_songs_3.htm)that helped her learn a few.  She played them over and over and her little sisters learned some as well.  I overheard Alyssa singing in the tub, "Learn of me and listen to my words, walk in the meekness of my spirit and you shall have peace in me, D&C 19:23" and she was pleased to recite it for the family for family night all by herself. 

Some of the songs are a little too jazzed up for my taste, but we did enjoy D&C 1:37-38, D&C 8:2-3 D&C 10:5.  I'm so grateful my children have the opportunity to be involved in seminary.  I loved it as a teenager as it was such an inspiring uplift compared to the rest of the day.

Pianists, Stunts, Gymnasts and Ballerinas

Emily had her first gymnastics recital last week and it was amazing to watch her skills.  She did 10 back handsprings in a row!  Jared was filming so I just sat back and enjoyed, but his battery died about 2 seconds into her routine  so I was sad we didn't get it recorded  :(   She is in the pre-competitive class and has learned a lot over the past 2 years, but she doesn't love it.   She groans when she finds out it is the day for gymnastics and the next step of competitive traveling gymnastics training lifestyle doesn't suit our family so this was her last month.  After seeing her skills I wondered if I should let her quit so soon, but I thought of the scripture in Mosiah  4:27
"And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order." I'm fine with her turning her energy towards piano which she likes a little more and requires less of my taxi-time & $.
Emily loves her recital song so much that her siblings are asking her to stop playing it they hear it so often.  I love the fun addition of the CD accompaniment.

Daniel is less enthusiastic about practicing piano, but he actually learned to enjoy playing this little duet with me.  Part of it had to do with the fact that  I made him practice if he wants to continue being involved in extra sport activities.
Alyssa learned to play her piece by actually reading "real" music on the staff and I was super proud of her having the courage to perform at the recital.  The video is better heard then seen if you don't want to feel dizzy :)

 Rebecca played an arrangement of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.  She begins her own piano teaching adventures this week with a couple of younger beginner students.  Drivers Ed starts next week!


Our neighbor gave us his playset if we would dig it up and transport it out of his yard.  I love how it's been drawing the kids into the backyard more.  I love hearing Alyssa exclaim "let's play mom's and kids "as they engage in pretend play.
  Jacob had fun swinging to new heights on our old swing.

 During the summer I am doing informal ballet at home with Emily and Alyssa and whatever friends like to join with them.  After watching several youtube videos, I bought the Petite Feet DVD.  I love how it incorporates some classical music plus real ballet terms like eleve, releve, chasse, pekay, adagio, allegro and plies all through fun stories and "games" in less then 30 minutes.

I first tried a few other fun videos to expose them to a few basics.
Warmup


Petite Feet Trailer


5 Positions

Fun Online Learning Discoveries

Emily completed all of her 3rd grade coursework for homeschool a while ago so we're breathing easy and enjoying the kind of school we really love... plenty of time for piano games, cooking, ballet lessons, exploring science websites and trips to the library.  Here's a little video of her practicing the piece she's preparing for piano festival.

Despite the extra pressures that homeschooling sometimes creates for me, it's days like this when I am so happy we're doing it.  And I've discovered a lot of fun learning sites along the way that have benefited some of my other kids as well.

Science
Study Jams Videos - Physical, Earth and Life Science Topics with short engaging video clip stories
Kids Health Videos - How Your Body Works
Brain Pop Animated Movies , fossils, tides, ecosystems and other earth science topics
Virtual Salmon Dissection - the cow eye dissection was interesting too for kids who can stomach it  
Wildscreen Arkive Science- videos of habitats and species with basic facts for kids

Math
Multiplication.com - Diaper Derby is a great slow paced start, Grand Prix and Penguin Jump are great because they can compete with their friends by logging on at the same time
Study Jams Math Tutorials
Center for Game Science- Tree Frog Treasure &Refraction game to teach fractions/number line

History
Liberty's Kids  and Schoolhouse Rock videos on youtube
Early America.com - short videos about founding fathers, early american history
America the Story of Us (for older kids)
Spelling
Spellingcity.com    Add your own spelling list for kids to take pretest, or play games to learn hard words

Language
Schoolhouse Rock parts of speech videos (interjections, adverbs, prepositions, etc.)

Quizlet.com - term matching games for a variety of subjects, or enter or your own concepts to study

And of course, one of my favorite subjects....MUSIC.
Following  are a few game links from my piano blog, but my piano lab link has a more organized thorough listing arranged by concept and level.
Music
Classics for Kids
Creating Music Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids Games
Music Learning Community
Music Tech Teacher Games/Quizzes 
Musical Mind Ear Training 
Musicards
PhilTulga  
PT Musical Fraction Bars
SFS Kids
Tonic Tutor
Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra -Learn about instruments in the orchestra through an interactive story with games

What Would a Holy Woman Do?

Last month we had an inspiring Relief Society activity centered around this theme.  Our guest speaker, shared some insights and experiences she had after reading the book by this title by Wendy Watson Nelson.  Sister Nelson issued a 3 day challenge to several friends to choose one of the normal activities she did in the day and then ponder "How would a holy woman do this?"  I found this phrase running through my mind for multiple days after the activity when I started to feel moments of weakness.... impatience with a child, lack of energy to clean or discipline and just having those words running through my mind help me to deal with the moments in a more holy way.

I love how the challenge is to think about something you already do and then reflect on a better way to go about it.  The hard part is choosing which thing to focus on, but one a day is manageable.  I love how some of the examples were mundane everyday things and others were spiritual matters.  So many things came to my mind where I could stand to improve like
How would a holy woman search the scriptures?
How would a holy woman respond to a request for help from a child?
How would a holy woman decrease contention in her home?
How would a holy woman prepare for family night?
How would a holy woman appreciate her spouse?
How would a holy woman speak about a person who has done something that irritates her?
How would a holy woman put her kids to bed?
How would a holy woman honor the Sabbath?
How would a holy woman prioritize her day?

Today I had the chance to read the whole book with a lot of interruptions in between when various children had needs to be met, and I couldn't help but think a holy woman would not just ignore everyone (like I sometimes do when engrossed in a good book) so she could finish her book about being holy! :)

I feel so grateful that Stephanie let me borrow her copy to read, even though I don't know her well.  She has passed it around to several friends and had them write a brief note about what they learned or loved about the book.  I thought this was a really neat idea, as I was also inspired by the thoughts of others comments, and the book isn't just collecting dust on my shelf like some of mine.

A Good Day

I'm feeling so grateful for a bad day turned good. I woke up feeling tired and the gloomy weather started to get to me, but this day has ended up being nearly perfect :)  Emily zoomed through her lessons and chores, and the weather cleared up just in time for our trip to the park. We had fun at the end of year K12 celebration at the park today to wind up the homeschool year.  Daniel had an awesome time hanging out with his friends on the way to a field trip that he was begging not to go on.  Jacob was brave enough to talk to his teacher about reviewing a concept so he could bring up his math grade.  Becca had a blast at her Debate Luau Party.  And Joshua was thrilled to get to join his dad and brothers at the Father's and Sons outing instead of being left behind. Then we ended off the evening having another ball and watching movies with just the girls.  Emily was so excited to top off our "banquet" with beets and beet greens after enjoying sugar cookies, grapes and maple muffins. 

Best Vacation Ever!

 Jared asked me a few months ago if I wanted to join him on his work training to Seattle.  Honestly I was a little hesitant at first.  All kinds of anxiety producing thoughts started to creep into my mind.  Traveling is typically not my thing.  It's not easy to ask someone to watch 6 kids for 4 days. And he had to spend a lot of the day in meetings.  I usually get pre-vacation depression. I'm not brave enough to go out exploring some huge unfamiliar city all on my own and I thought hanging out in a hotel for 3 days could get a little old.  And spending money on a plane ticket was a big leap for me.  Then Jared said, maybe you could do some family history.  That switched off all of my fears and I am so happy I decided to join him.  It was seriously one of the best vacations in my life!  It was so nice to have a complete break from all cooking, laundry and household duties for 4 days straight and of course the best part was just enjoying the companionship, inspiration and uninterrupted conversation with my best friend in this world.

 I'm kind of a peculiar woman.  I really don't like shopping at all.  And the city doesn't carry much appeal for me either.  So despite the recommendations from several friends to visit Pike's Market and some other famous attractions in Seattle, I was completely content to instead enjoy the natural beauty of the beach thanks to Jared's brother Joshua who chauffeured us around to check out some beautiful scenery and enjoy peaceful conversation.

 I also thoroughly enjoyed the plane ride.  I have only been on a few plane trips and the last one was nearly 20 years ago when I returned from my mission.  Looking out the plane window is fascinating for me as I get to marvel at the grandeur of God's marvelous creations from a different vantage point.  I love the checkered farm fields, the mountains jutting up in the sky and hovering over the top of the clouds instead of looking up at them.  I love the feeling of my stomach sinking as the plane lifts off.  It makes me feel like a kid again experiencing an amusement park ride for the first time.

The first day I had plans to do a little family history, read some inspiring books, browse piano blogs and maybe even add to my own personal history, but the family history just sucked me right in and the time flew by as I delved into it almost all day long.  We spent the evening "Riding the Ducks," as we enjoyed a fun, freezing tour of the land and water on an amphibious war vehicle.

 Fortunately Jared's training was in the stake center adjacent to the temple, so I was able to enjoy some peaceful sessions there. 

Jared's mom  spoiled me by not only watching our kids for the entire time while we were gone, but also cleaning out my filthy pantry and organizing some of my cupboards and drawers.  She even planned a super memorable family night for the kids and I felt so grateful that I could trust my kids were in good hands while we were gone.  I'm looking forward to another training next year!