Journal of Days, May 27-30

Tuesday, May 27, 2014
(Monday was Memorial Day--we finished up standardized testing!)
Finn finished up his art homework and then did 4 pages of Explode the Code (I assigned 2, but he forged ahead).  We did 2 pages of Miquon together.  He read aloud from Mouse Tales, narrated an Aesop's Fable, and I read a little bit of Little House in the Big Woods. The children did a lot of playing with their hand-carved nativity set--a lady in our church found it at a thrift store and, knowing my children's adoration of nativities, she gave that to them!!  They coupled it with our wonderful resurrection set and played and played and played. Finn had art in the afternoon.  We visited the Farmers' Market and fetched a stack of books from the library....I've been gearing up for our next cultures study. In lieu of books on CD, we listened to Mennonite a capella hymns during our errand-running--so restorative.

Wednesday, May 28
We did a couple of pages of Miquon math, including Finn creating his own lab sheets to give to Daddy.  We did a lesson from the OPGTR.  Our morning Bible reading turned into a big discussion on Moses and how he was a bit scared, a bit reluctant when God called him, and how he found the courage and strength to do what he was asked to do....and how that applies to our lives!  We read one chapter of Winnie the Pooh.  Finn narrated an Aesop's Fable that he read himself!!!!! this was major, major! He is starting to read more and more--I'm so pleased.  Then we read a few more fables for fun.  Finn read a story from Mouse Tales and then I read two more.

Thursday, May 29
We had a fun day out attending a huge local book sale. I racked up.  Then we had Thai food and ice cream--treats!  Back at home in the afternoon we read a few of the many books I'd found, including Emily (ill. by Barbara Cooney), Tomten (Lindgren), and Madeline. Finn and I also read a book on building bridges, tunnels and other structures that he'd chosen at the book sale.  I enjoyed that one!

Friday, May 30
I had planned on a regular day, but my husband surprised me by staying home from work and sending me on a spa-lunch out-afternoon movie day.  Bliss.  He took the children to the zoo and out to lunch and then to a local festival with delicious ethnic foods--which he brought home for our dinner.  Very thoughtful and such a surprise!!

Over the weekend Finn spent a lot of time gardening.  He helped pull weeds, clear the garden, and continue planting.  Yesterday we went on a family hike and enjoyed hearing a great horned owl call; after the hike we went to dinner at a favorite local restaurant and enjoyed the outdoor venue and live music.  (Back at home the fireflies were glittering in the fields--thousands of them.  GORGEOUS.) This evening Finn gave me a tour of the garden--and he really knows what the plants are! On Sunday afternoon he and I played Muggins' Knock-Out game, which I'd bought at the book sale--it was SO fun!  So that was mathematical!  And tonight we all watched an episode of Cosmos together, because that's what we like to do on Sunday evenings.  It's a nice way to wrap up a day of worship, rest and wonder.