Talking With Your Daughter About Understanding Boys...YEP! BOYS!

"I wouldn't dare claim that I understand the mind of a girl.  But I have no doubts that I understand the mind of a boy.  I was one." The Hubs

As a mom, it is my job and calling to hold the hand of my daughter and lead her gently into womanhood...to love her, train her, and disciple her into femininity as Titus 2 instructs. And while I continue in my daily quest to teach her "WHAT IS GOOD", I know there are some areas of life that are next to impossible for me to guide her through.

Namely...UNDERSTANDING BOYS.  Because, the fact is, I never was one.

As of today, my Sweetie Pea has no interest in the opposite sex.  But I know that all too soon, she will. It's an inevitable and God-ordained part of growing up...of crossing the threshold from young lady to young woman.  She WILL notice boys someday...whether her dad likes it or not. 

Notebooking 101: The WHAT and WHY of Notebooking

notebook |ˈnōtˌbo͝ok|

noun

a small book with blank or ruled pages for writing notes in

Pages from Leonardo da Vinci's personal journal

According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, a notebook is just a tool for writing notes. Similar to journaling, notebooks and the practice of "notebooking" can be traced back to the scholars of old. From Leonardo da Vinci who poured countless hours into meticulously cataloging his artistic pursuits and scientific discoveries to Thomas Jefferson who detailed the culinary arts of peoples around the world in his travel log and thus influenced the eating habits of a newly-established United States...the world's top intellectuals and innovators have filled their shelves with notebooks. These wonderfully crafted volumes have archived the educational findings of The Greats and passed on a lifetime of achievement and knowledge to the generations that followed.

The Week I Went Gluten Free and What It Taught Me About My Faith

Gluten-Free

Dairy-Free

Paleo

Raw 

Unpasteurized

Vegan

Organic

Perhaps you are familiar with these words that have exploded onto the food scene in the last five years. Words currently in vogue. Words which have divided people into two camps of eaters...those who are "clean" and those who are not...or so the story goes.

My personal experience with food has been quite varied.

Gentle Schooling for Summer 2014

While not necessarily "un-schoolers", we ARE eclectic homeschoolers.  And with that title comes ALL forms of learning...including a little bit of un-schooling or as I like to call it..."schooling at the speed of summer."  

Our official last day may have marked the end of assignments and schedules, but, it did not put a three-month halt to our learning. On the contrary, there is plenty o' schoolin' going on 'round here.  It's just been slowed from a gallop to a trot. It's intentionally more leisurely. It's purposefully more gentle.  

Here's what our days look like during the sunshine months.  

Babysitter Training Resources for Tweens

As a responsible tween girl already more-than-experienced in caring for and loving little ones, my Sweetie Pea is well on her way to becoming an in-demand sitter.  While she has never officially babysat children alone, she frequently babysits her one-year-old cousin...maintaining FULL responsibility for her...at our home and under my supervision.  In addition, she has recently been hired by a young stay-at-home and formerly-homeschooled momma friend of mine to be a "mama's helper".  One day a week during the summer months finds her caring for the two oldest kiddos of that family (ages four and two) while the momma does the necessary clerical work of her husband's small business and cares for their newborn baby.  

30 Character-Building Books for Young Boys

I'm no builder.
I can count on one hand the times I've put a hammer to a nail.

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But, logic and common sense tell me that if I want to construct a quality house...one worth living in...I have to study a quality blueprint. I have to follow a plan that has been previously laid out. One that has been tested and tried and has proven to provide a superior end result. No shoddy blueprint will do. I want the best-of-the-best. A blueprint...an example...of high quality.

What We're Reading in June 2014

Our library summer reading program officially kicked off just a few days ago, and the kids have already started earning prizes.  Sometimes a dangling carrot is a great thing...wouldn't you agree?!  I'm not sure if it is the notion of a friendly competition between siblings and friends or the small trinkets they receive, but for whatever reason, the annual summer reading program has unmatched ability to morph all my kids into read-a-holics. 

End-of-the-Year Program for Homeschool 2014

After nine months of watching our children blossom through diligence and hard work, we, co-op moms, always enjoy celebrating their successes by hosting an end-of-the-year spring program for family and friends.  For the past six years, it has been a fantastic way to share what they have learned and to put an official "the end" on a wonderful year of co-operative learning.  (This post contains affiliate links.)

While the basic format for our program has remained the same over the years, each one has been slightly different.  This year, the mothers decided not to have an overall theme to each presentation. Each family could decide WHAT and HOW they wanted to share.

Last Day, Hooray! 2014

This past Friday, we said our farewells to the 2013-2014 school year and joyously welcomed summer and its carefree days.  

As is our tradition, our last day of school was anything but ordinary...and the best part was, the kids had no idea what was on the agenda.  The entire day was full of surprises.  

Here's a quick recap of our fun.  

The first surprise was a hot plate of cinnamon rolls...the fam favorite breakfast.