A little rain doesn't stop us when we are adventuring.  Ok, maybe it slows us down a little, but we usually splash on through.  That's a darned good thing considering our next location.  The second day in Prague was misty moisty which later turned to buckets as we approached the bridge going home. We took cover there laughing ourselves silly. 

My beautiful Moira. She took my breath away when I turned and caught a glimpse of her gazing out across the bridge as we waited. 

This image IS Prague for me.  It is what I picture when I think of our time in Europe together.  Oh those little bitty hands.  She will never remember this place.  I hope she never forgets arms bearing her up and carrying her out of the rain. 

Waking up happens slowly around here.  There is some sitting and looking out the window.  Easing into the day, sometimes with some reluctance. 

But there is nothing like the sheer joy that spills out when they realize it's not a work day and Daddy's home. 

* Just a reminder there is one more day left in the Speed Math giveaway.  Julie has a surprise for you as well.   And Sarah has a nice giveaway at her blog too.  Barbara is giving away one of her beautiful rosaries Wed as well.  Lots of  opportunities this week.  Check it out! 

I was four months pregnant our first New Year's Eve in Germany.  That year we were ringing in 1986.  (please don't gasp, even if it was in the last millenium….)  My husband was a medic and working long hours.  I was in the throes of early pregnancy drowsiness.  Between us we had enough good reason to be out cold at midnight. 

We were awakened from that sound sleep by a thundering explosion outside the apartment.  From all sides.  For a split second I thought it was the Apocalypse.  Kid you not. I was spinning through my foggy brain trying to recall bits of the recent news to see if how likely it was we were under fire.  (our base had been bombed less than 6 mo earlier) 

It was none of those dire things however.  Just our initiation into German New Year's, a wildly thrilling event, especially in a large city. 

This year we got to bring that 'baby' back to see his first New Year's in the land of his birth.  Things are a little lower key here in the sticks than they are in Frankfurt but still pretty amazing for homegrown.  And yes, dangerous.  Don't try this at home.  We didn't!

The fireworks went on 'til nearly 1am.  Being situated on one of the highest peaks in the region, on a rare clear winter's night, we could see the glimmer of celebrations in villages all around. He said if it had been all he got to do on this trip it would have been worth it.  (video from last year here)

Before bed Tess declared this to be the best day of her life.  The best part of that statement is that it marked the third time in as many weeks that she breathlessly announced same.  Life is often hard.  What kind of wonderful is it to be able to say you had three of the best days ever inside a month. : ) 

We were saying the other day how our Asher and Tess in particular both have such a gift for finding life positively amazing.  They take such delight in small things as well as large.  I hope to be more like them when I grow up. : )

 Here's to making lots of best days in 2012!

I wrote this earlier today:

Rebecca's mother has improved tremendously since my last post.  She had a bacterial infection which has now cleared.  She is conscious and at least minimally communicative. 

Her kidney function remains a source of concern.  The dialysis that was planned has been on hold and they continue to hope she can do without, but we need to pray for this.  

She had a second chest tube inserted to reinflate the other lung. Initial x-rays are encouraging that it has been successful. They did a trial off the ventilator but it didn't go well.  There was an unplanned second trial just a bit ago when she extubated herself (woman after my own heart…) but her lungs just aren't ready yet.  The tube is extremely upsetting to her however, so earnest prayers are requested that she can be rid of it soon.

We continue to hold up Rebecca and her family through this exhausting and worrisome time.  

And just got this at 8:30pm my time (2:30 pm Eastern time):

Mom is declining today. She has stopped producing urine and is back on the heart medication. They are not certain whether she is declining in general or just having a bad day. We should know that later today or tomorrow. Please continue to keep her in your prayers. – Rebecca

This study was brought to my attention today which suggests that students following a structured homeschool curriculum perform better than their public school peers, even adjusting for income levels and other demographic considerations.  The kicker was that students who were identified as unschoolers (by their parents) scored significantly lower than both other groups.

  I hesitate to share because the subject tends to stir up strong feelings.  Granted, if you are an unschooler you may have no interest in test scores either today or in the future.  You may well have other valid yardsticks for success.  If you live or may live in a state which requires testing, if your child may re-enter a traditional school at some point, or if college is in the grand plan then studies like this one are worth investigating.

 Tests are inevitable in mainstream education and are good to measure very specific academic skills. (as opposed to overall intelligence)   Truth is, many families we know have experienced these same results in their own homes.  The kids who had more structure and traditional curriculum usually scored better than when those same families were more loosely schooling.  Contrary to the opinions voiced time and again, most students who have been in that boat will tell you it is not easy to make up in 3 or 4 months the content required to do really well on the SAT. 

There are a lot of ways to do this well and some years, some students, and some circumstances demand different approaches.   The words 'structure', 'success', 'perform', and 'curricula' are emotionally charged and highly subjective. So, no tomatoes please.  Just some interesting reading on a chilly fall day here. 

1.  Accept the Good

We watched Things We Lost in the Fire not long ago and I really liked it.  (caveat: adult themes involved, not everyone will love it)  There was something very engaging about Benicio Del Toro.  His great line in the movie was Accept the Good, because you are most certainly going to have to accept the bad.  That part is a given.  Into every life some rain shall fall etc.  The truth is pain and fear can make it nearly impossible to accept the beauty that is still there. It is all encompassing.  Some times in our lives it is a struggle to accept the good things still with us.  I disagree with some Christians who consider this ingratitude.  I think it is more like trying to hear a whisper in a snowstorm. It is a great skill, a great grace.  Sometimes it comes easily.  Sometimes it requires heroic effort.  

2.  Anne Rockwell

I smiled as I dropped Anne Rockwell books into the library bag this week.  I have been reading them to my children since the very beginning.  The simple retro-style  illustrations and honest, conversational text are endearing.  If you haven't picked one up in a while and you have some little ones at home, do.  

At the Supermarket

Show and Tell Day

Apples and Pumpkins

3. Adventures in Grocery Shopping

True story.  Happened as the bagger followed me to the car the other night:

Bagger (surveying my purchases): So, you guys havin' a party? 

Me: Uh no.  Just…. dinner.  We have 9 people in the house.

Bagger: Wow!  So, you have, like, 6 kids?  

Me: ?   (I explained we have 10 and 7 are here.  He still didn't catch his math.) 

Bagger: So how old is the oldest? 

Me: 25

Bagger: Wow, so, like, my age!  

Me: sigh : P <g>

4. And Southwest Asia

A better story. Brendan and Tess were discussing his catechism lesson.  Did God make all things?  Yes.  Because as Brendan explained God is King of the World.  Tess piped in that He was king of "Gern-a-mee" too. And Colorado.  Then they brainstormed some other places they could think of.  After which B chimes in… "and Southwest Asia!"  Yes, dear, and Southwest Asia.  He might possibly be a homeschooler. <g>

5. Thrift Finds

We scoped out a new thrift store this week.  Mostly a fact finding trip but I rarely leave empty handed.  Found some more salt glazed pottery, a large (18in) old crucifix and some kitschy painted pieces. 

When I came home from aforementioned grocery shopping husband had found places for each piece.  It's nice to have an thrifting enabler. <g>

6. Home Interiors

I found this site which hosts images of country style homes.  Some are too cute for my taste but I love the old pieces.  And I love that these are not professionally staged.  They are real homes.  

7.  Fence Friday

Not to be confused with the Munich Octoberfest, this one is local and comprised of some 50,000 pumpkins made into the likeness of fairy tale characters.  Sorta like the Rose Parade – but with squash.  Are you feelin' this yet? 

It was a great day all around as you can see if you make it to the bottom of the post. The park has an enormous two story slide which everyone but me scaled many, many times.  They even got Dad up there.  Abbie did a run with Dad but then decided looking at gourds was safer. 

Every Tuesday morning Julie and I sit in my schoolroom while her daughter takes her piano lesson with Alannah upstairs.  She knits, we talk, the littles play.

Last week she brought me a set of her newly printed and packaged multiplication game. We don't have a lot of math games.  I wasn't sure how well this would go over either.  But after playing daily all week, and the kids' enthusiasm continuing to grow, I think she really is onto something. 

There is a video at her site which shows the game in action.  Basically you have a set of cards with the multiples 2-9 of a given "Speed" illustrated like strings of beads. (Actually it struck me much like the Montessori golden beads)  The cards truly would be painfully tedious to try to replicate on your own.  You play the game sort of like War, laying down cards which are one step above or below the card on the table.  So if a 9 is laid down you can play a 6 or a 12 for instance.  The first player to play all his cards wins. Check out the video for clearer instruction. 

The premise is that the child becomes very familiar with all the multiples through playing the fast paced game.  This really does work. The more you play, the more familiar you are.  The better you know those "steps" the better you play. 

 Julie worked as an engineer before becoming a homeschool mom to three children.  Those same creative problem solving skills necessary in her career field have served her well at home.  She came up with a really novel idea.  If you want to play at home you can pick up a set at Amazon.  You will be supporting a truly home-grown family business.