'Cause I am!   I have long admired Cheryl's home management.  She has shared inspiring stories of decluttering and simplification on her blog.  She recently started a second blog dedicated to her family's journey towards minimalism.  You can read her story here.   

I think the common stereotypical minimalist is a single person or small family.  The truth is we large families may stand to gain the most from steps towards living with less.  Most of us would like to spend the majority of our time enjoying our children but feel bogged down with all the stuff that comes with them, or at least what our culture has led us to believe accompanies them.  People like Cheryl challenge those assumptions.   I look forward to following her less-is-more adventure.  

I am going to hit a couple questions real quick today.  No time to construct a thoughtful essay but I don't want these to get away from me as things are prone to doing. 

Q:  I have been looking to some of the Waldorf resources for inspiration – rhythms, stories, etc. However… I worry about the Church's teachings on avoiding reading New Age resources. I want the inspiration without the underlying beliefs of Waldorf. Any advice on reading these resources for the good and leaving the rest?

A: I outlined my take on Waldorf inspired learning here.  Fairy tales and literature,  simple natural food and toys, natural fibers, handwork, sane daily rhythms, music and lovely art are not Steiner discoveries.  They are the stuff of healthy living from the beginning of time until our own, which has sadly lost sight of the mainstays of life.   I use the term Waldorf because sadly, they are one of the few groups in our day who embrace these practices.  Many Montessorians and unschoolers share appreciation for these things as well but the truth is, googling Waldorf is most likely to net you some of the best resources.   

I think it is entirely possible to glean these wonderful things and never dabble into the man's theology, just as I have gleaned from Charlotte Mason and do not adopt her religion, which in many ways is as different from my own as Steiner's. The lifestyle  of Maria Montessori who was Catholic as I am was not necessarily more like my own than either of the above.  She approached learning from a scientific point of view and her own son was raised by others, ideas totally foreign to mine.  

Take what blesses your family.  Leave the rest.  Look for ways to incorporate the old paths (not New Age paths) into your days.  Bake together.  Make music. Tell your stories. Play with paint. Best part is, you need not spend a cent. You tell your OWN stories, you make music with your voice and hands, you relish simple foods like steaming rice and oatmeal.  Sleep regularly, clean regularly. Keep it simple. Love much.  It then does not really matter what you call it. 

Some of the best resources with the least overt mention of anthroposophy in my opinion are Beyond the Rainbow Bridge, Mitten Strings for God,  and Donna Simmons' materials. Simplicity Parenting is written to the nonWaldorf parent but incorporates the best of these practices. Waldorf Curriculum has a number of free resources. 

Q: Can you tell me about the transition verses?  Where can I find them? 

A:  The best visual for most of us today is the big purple dinosaur.  What did he do when things got messy and it was time to move on?  You're humming already aren't you?  "Clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere, clean up, clean up, everybody do your share."   We can take a cue there and do as many Montessori and Waldorf teachers do.  Instead of cajoling and pleading (which I assure you NEVER happens in MY house…. ; )) we can give a sign like lowering the lights or singing a signal tune like that one.  Surf for songs for saying goodbye or time to leave, bedtime songs, and bath songs and nursery rhymes.  It is much less confrontational to sing or rhyme the little ones into the next thing.  Also lowers mom's stress level.  Its hard to be mad while singing.  Though not entirely impossible ; ) 

Q:  I am struggling with defining "treasures" verses keeping EVERY piece of paper they create.

A:  Peter Walsh suggests photographing each 'treasure'.  Put the newest on display in a special place (ie not squished onto the last spot on the fridge with all of last year's 'treasures')  for a time and then let it go.  Send it to a grandparent, godparent, Dad's office, or truly let it GO.  You can store the very best flat work in an art portfolio if you like.  You have a record of the work done and the progress made.  You have validated and applauded the effort without bogging down yourself and the artist in an ever growing mountain of paper. 

Remember, Peter would also say that if it is REALLY a treasure that is evidenced by the special care and place of honor you give it.  Treasures are treasures in part due to their rarity and uniqueness. Quantity is necessarily the opposite.  

Q:  I am intrigued by your notebooks.  Can you tell me more? 

A:  It is really so simple there is not much to tell.  On a new page in the composition book I (or the child) record the day's assignments.  All the work is completed right there on the following pages.  They do a math assignment, an English exercise, copy a verse of scripture, record their science information. We notate the oral work done. All right there.  

The alternative is to have separate subject notebooks.  This is perfectly acceptable but it was cumbersome for me and them. This way we have one thing to keep track of at a time and one thing to show Dad.  When the boys went to work with Dad recently while I had an appt he was thrilled to be able to see at a glance exactly what they were doing and could easily jump in and help. It would have been a different scenario if they had to lug 5 notebooks around. We just wouldn't have done school that day.  In a large active family it is too easy to just not  have school many days.  This arrangement makes it very simple for us to do some concentrated study everyday regardless of what else is happening. And a lot happens ; )  

We have one separate binder for illustrations or special projects.  It is more realistic to think we will have a few illustrations for each subject by year's end than that we will have full completed books for many subjects each yr.  If you can't seem to do them, then maybe it will be some comfort to know we cannot either. I am not sure I really WANT to.  (See last question and answer for reasons.)

— 2 —

Two lovely daughters headed out for a dinner dance with their homeschool group a bit ago.  This is Moira's first time attending.  Her brother's are struggling.  Join the club, boys.  

Join the club. : ) 

— 3 —

Had a strange incident with one teenager last night.  I saw some recent thrifted finds in the store bag yet and tossed them in the wash.  Unnamed teen person noticed this unfolding and had a wee bit of a meltdown in front of the washer.  Hello?  Apparently those were not "my" clothes and, really, could I just let said person wash them?  Ummm ok… I say, slowly backing from the laundry room.  

Just going on record here saying that if anyone wants to come wash something of mine by surprise I WILL NOT fight you.  I will hug you.  I will make you chocolate cake.  I am good with it.  I swear.  

— 4 —

Since the house is torn asunder anyway I am purging everything that has yet to be done.  The public view has been good.  I am determined though to clean inside and out, the seen and unseen. It's all metaphorical and deep – in my head anyhow. Probably a lot gets lost in the translation at the moment. 

When I got started digging through the storage boxes, I remembered why I have storage boxes. There is a lot more than stuff stored in there, memories that for years have seemed better kept closed up and neatly shelved. 

Such a job.  I start sorting school papers and remember big boys who used to write on dotted lines. I unearth letters bearing my grandmother's birthday wishes, my late father's report cards. Rose petals from long ago bouquets slip out onto the floor. It is tempting to close the lids.  Maybe another time?  But no, now is that time and this job will be done. It is time to sift, to remember even when it hurts, and then decide what I am keeping and what I am letting go. 

It is time. 

— 5 —

ever have one of these days?

yeah, me too 

— 2 —

Dh directed the new toilet install last night with two very capable little helpers. My job? Make sure they don't break anything today so they get to do it all over again. 

— 3 —

If you are eating and spooning baby food simultaneously, you might get mixed up.  

— 4 —

On deck today: four piano makeup lessons, a birthday party an hr away, two sets of contractors here, husband to pack, and one sick person testing my natural cold remedy. Glad I am not the only driver! 

— 5 —

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

Romans 12:18

Out of the blue Abbie nearly slept through the night last night. Only woke once. I am walking around wide awake in disbelief this morning. 

— 3 —

I like doing laundry. Really, I do.  I like washing and drying and even folding. Who wouldn't with this kind of help. <g> They fight over who gets to help switch loads. Fortunately for them there are plenty of opportunities around here. 

— 4 —

"He is all the strength that I will ever neeeeeeeed!" along with the ipod and thanking God we chose life ten times over.  It is sometimes blissful, sometimes wrenchingly painful, and always, always a miracle. Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord, for every single minute.

"… worthy of admiration is the faith and prompt obedience of the servants who, following Mary's advice, immediately carry out the orders of Jesus;  they fill the waterpots with water and then pour  from them. Not a moment of doubt, not a protest – they simply obey.  May we not learn from them how to believe and obey?"

 –Divine Intimacy chapter 49, The First Miracle