Learning All the Time

Years ago I would have great angst if I didn't start our homeschool curriculum BEFORE the public schools.  I was so afraid of getting behind.  What is behind anyway?  And, now I have such joy in seeing the way our lifestyle has changed and seeing how we are learning all the time!  Certainly we will start some formal studies after labor day but I no longer buy into the myth that education is a race!  Education is an adventure of discovering who God made my children to be!  One of the ways I uncover how to direct our curriculum is to see the books they choose.

Most days (summer included) we do a "room time" of at least an hour during Zayden's nap time. Zach, Zoe and Zane read their library books (or sometimes a classic audio), while Zadie and Zeke listen to an audio book or have an older Z read to them.  This gives me a break and it also helps me relax with the rhythms of reading out loud.  I go in read aloud spurts.  "Tidal waves" are a great metaphor for my morning or afternoon read alouds.  I will go through a season of reading aloud a bunch, then a season of rest.  Repeat.  Room time helps me ensure that they are reading regardless of my tide.  My homeschool vision includes them having a LOVE of learning, so reading is essential.  I am always impressed with what they select and it helps me know how to feed their passions and interests. I have 6 kids so delight-directed learning is ESSENTIAL.  I find it much easier to FUEL what they are wondering about, FEED what they are curious about and FAN the flames of what they imagine in play, then demand they learn know and care about what I have pre-planned.   God didn't give me the gift of planning!  I like to capitalize on learning MOMENTS.  When I capitalize on the moment THEY are interested, their attention, focus and determination are off the charts.  Passion trumps curriculum.  Interest drives mastery.

I love watching her creativity spill into science.  One day in room time she had taken a cardboard box and made a pulley system to try and pull up her books from Zadie's bunk to hers.  Then at a play-date this past weekend the dad used a pulley system to bring up Nerf darts on the balcony and she was so excited!  Today, she chose to make a small pulley with popsicle sticks while listening to audio books!  She LOVES to craft while listening to books and I love to see where her imagination and inventiveness takes her.  

Today the preschoolers listened to this.  Fantastic narrators!  Who doesn't love Dr. Seuss?

Zach stumbled on Unbroken and now has been in a huge phase of ANY war book.  But, recently this book, "the true cost of toys" peaked his interest.

This is what was in Zane's bunk!  Of course they were sprawled out, I stacked them.  Steve got him interested in the BFG because he told him Disney is making a movie.  And, in the bottom corner is his very raggedy copy of his Animal Encyclopedia that he learned to read in!!  

In 1st grade, I would FIGHT Zane tooth and nail to do his phonics curriculum. I finally took a break in exasperation and (if I am to be honest) surrender.  THEN we kept renewing this Animal book from the library. When I finally realized that he was DRIVEN to read by this book because of his curiosity, I got him his own copy.  He was not discouraged by the complex words but would constantly ask what they meant and then tell you about the funny looking Proboscis Monkey or a poisonous snake. Within a matter of just a few weeks, he went from hating reading to being a ravenous reader.  This is just ONE of many stories that make me a big believer in FEEDING my kids all the subjects through the topics they love.  

I started a Kindergarden unit on colors that came together so nicely and was so much fun that preschooler Zeke and even the 3rd grade twins demanded to participate!  I HAD to start just Zadie's "school" because she simply could not wait.  I am considering having Zach write a Readers Theater play from "The Day the Crayons Quit".  It will be excellent practice in writing for him, plus he will get to direct the play! I love how home education allows me to take what we love and find the learning for each age. I would be a miserable failure at following separate curricula. 

And, water beads are colorful and fun.  AND MESSY!

Zoe is slowly working her way through the Little House in the Big Woods.  We all listened to this on audio last summer in the car.  "I can't imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once", CS Lewis.

From the day they were born having boy/girl twins has been like a living labratory in gender difference.  I have to blog about this some day!  Zane is working his way through a series of "Natures deadliest" and Zoe recently got a book about "Teeny Tiny Animals".  I loved seeing their unique contrasting interests!

And, finally what I am reading!  I have re-read parts of bittersweet and started Life without Limits but I can NEVER read just one book at a time so I jumped into The Power of Play.  

 I would love to hear what YOU have been reading!  One of my besties moved to Florida last year but we still, at least weekly, talk on the phone and literally READ QUOTES from books we have been reading.  We are nerds and we love it!  She got me into a cool bread book and I got her into Bittersweet last month.  So please, I would love to know who you are if you are reading this and what you are reading!  Because child or adult, homeschooled or public schooled, we are ALL learning all the time!

The Power of story

Almost a decade ago with 1 toddler I started volunteering in the children's ministry at Mecklenburg Community Church.  I was so overwhelmed with my toddler, my job and our new city.  I never thought I'd have another child.  I was suspicious of church.  I had church baggage.  I was scared.  I wanted to make sure they weren't going to scare my toddler.  Walking into a MecKidz classroom and seeing the INTENTIONALITY of it all is like being in a "Church Disneyland".  But, better.  I was immediately drawn in by the fact that a team of us could handle 30ish preschoolers better then I could handle my one at home!  Everything is looked at through the eyes of a child.  The heart of the ministry LOVES children and designs every detail around them while teaching profound truths.  

In a 1,000 big and little ways over 9 years, serving in this ministry has changed and continues to change me.    It changed the answer to core questions like:  Who am I?  Where do I belong?  And, who can I trust?  I met people that sincerely loved God and loved his word.  Over time, I began to surrender to the wonder of these preschool lessons:

God Made me, God Loves me and He wants to be my friend forever!

Monday night I was able to share a few of my thoughts about STORY to a small group of Meckidz leaders!  I was so honored!  And, terrified.  AND SWEATY.  But, I regret not having more of it memorized.  Something hungers in me to work on my "art" of what I wanted to say a bit more.  So I thought it would be fun to polish the "talk" on my blog a little bit more.  

Stories spark complex emotions.  Stories connect, inspire, bond, motivate, and ENCOURAGE!  

GREAT stories AWAKEN us to TRUTH.  GREAT stories sneak past our defenses and armor and can plant "seed thoughts".  GREAT stories  aim for our heart and drag our head along behind.  GREAT stories are multi-faceted.

Great stories aren't perfect.  I learned this in the trenches.  I have to blog soon about my nephew Silas and what God has done in my life as I pray for him.  But, I used to believe the lie that stories had to end happily every after.  But, on this side of heaven we are all yearning for His return.  The best stories are, "here is my brokennes, my blood, my sweat and my tears... and HERE this is how God is holding me all together just as he holds this beautiful broken world together.  What part of scripture are we wrestling with?  

GREAT stories appeal across age, race, gender and time.  Great Storytellers ironically are GREAT listeners.

God is Always with us.  For me when life feels mundane and lifeless.  I often times am believing a bad story.  Truth got tangled in my head and my heart.   My mental script, my narrative, my STORY is tangled.  And, how often it gets tangled!

How do you SEE great stories?  Seeing God stories is opening our eyes, opening our heart and opening our mind to what God is doing in our lives and in the lives of those we serve.  

There are 1,000 different ways to tell the same story.  What story are you telling about MecKidz?

Every one who serves in Meckidz has a story in their mind about what volunteering means for them.  Really.  Engage Sincerely and Compassionately, Interrupt Kindly and you will find out.  Their "serving story" is a result of the sum total of all their interactions and experiences and it becomes the lens through which they interpret their future serving with.

Let's start telling more stories of what God is doing!  We can share stories around our MISSION and VALUES every chance we get.  Championing our mission and values in every way we see it.  

As leaders with a COMMON STORY a common narrative repeated, we can:

1) invite people in community

2) encourage them on MISSION 

3) help define the lens through which they see their experience of serving

The bible does this.  Its filled with many little stories that make up the GRAND story of Jesus loving us so much he gave us Jesus.  But, all the little stories point to Jesus.  Every story whispers his name.

When the WORD became FLESH in the person of Jesus;  What did he use to communicate over and over again...?  Stories!  

The following are some BEAUTIFUL words that inspire me to share my story more often!

"... It is your responsibility to tell God's story, in every way you can, every form, every medium, every moment.  Tell the stories of love and redemption and forgiveness every time you experience them.  Tell the stories of reconciliation and surprise and new life everywhere you find them... There's nothing small or inconsequential about our stories.  There is, in fact, nothing bigger.  And when we tell the truth about our lives- the broken parts, the secret parts, the beautiful parts- then the gospel comes to life, an actual story about redemption, instead of abstraction and theory... And, only you can tell your story.  If you have been transformed by the grace of God, then you have within you all you need to write your manifesto, your poem, your song, your battle cry, your love letter to a beautiful and broken world.  Your story must be told!"  (by Shauna Niequest from Bittersweet)

Kids Eat Free or Cheap- in North Charlotte!

Monday-

Whiskey Warehouse - before 6pm 1/2 price appetizers (awesome wings, nachos chicken fingers, and PIMENTO CHEESE poppers, you can tell from the all caps I love them)
*Yes, I bring my children to a place called "whiskey warehouse".  They have highchairs :)  The rooftop seating is super fun and you get a great view of the city.  We once had a 70ish year old pastor walk over and buy our meal there, super fun memory!

Afton Tavern - 1/2 price pizzas or  2 free kids meals per 1 paying adult meal

Tuesday-

Macadoos - 2 kids meals for $.99 each per 1 adult, plus it is $6.95 burger night

McAllisters - 2 kids per 1 adult entree

Carolina Ale House - 2 kids meals for $.99 each per 1 adult meal

Bob Evans - Kids eat free after 4pm

Texas Road House - 1 kids meal per paying adult

Moes Southwest Grill - 1 kids meal free per 1 adult meal, balloon artist roams during dinner

Hawthornes - 1 free kids meal per $7 in food and drinks spent

Wednesday -

Firehouse Subs - after 4pm - 2 kids meals for 1 adult

East Coast Wings  - after 4pm - 1 kid per paying adult, balloon artist roams during dinner

Fosters Grill - 1 kids meal for $1 per paying adult meal, balloon artist roams during dinner

Thursday -

I've got nothing.

Friday -

More nothing.  Will you settle for a picture instead?

Saturday-

MexiCasa - Kids eat free with an adult getting a meal and a drink.  Kids drink not included.

Sunday -

Zapatas - Kids eat free with an adult getting a meal and a drink.  Kids drink not included.

Shanes Rib Shack - 1 Kids meal free per adult dinner plate.  Dinner plates have 2 sides (macaroni and cheese is a side), so 2 of our big kids split a dinner plate great.

Firehouse - 2 kids per adult combo meal

*Steak and Shake has free kids meals Saturday and Sunday but we tried once and the service was horrible.

Where do you eat free or cheap during the week?  Please comment and let me know!  Even if it is out of town, I'd love to know!

Imaginon!

Last time I talked about our local library.  This time I am talking about the Library on Steroids in Uptown Charlotte, Imaginon!  We went today for the free summer exhibit, Clifford!  But, we stayed almost 4 hours.  I love places that entertain and engage my 2 year old all the way up through my 12 year old.  The entire library is creative and playful and every corner and floor has multiple inviting areas that invite curiosity, wonder and learning!  

Each Summer they have a "Discovery Place Kids/Children's Museum style literacy" exhibit.  In years past they have had various incredible themes for the summer exhibit like:  Classic Fairy Tales or Arthurs World.  This year it was CLIFFORD!  

I love seeing them work together.  Even if it is pretend.

This was an area to color and leave your creative expressions on the board for all to see.

This exhibit is technically not for 12 year olds.  I didn't have the heart to tell him.  

Did I mention that we brought Wolverine to Imaginon? We almost brought Captain America and then Mr. Incredible.  But, Mr. Incredible changed to Wolverine when he realized he had a rip showing off his underwear. 

Something inside me sings when I get a group picture!

Zachary camped out and found a half dozen war books that he perused and Zeke and Zayden felt so big playing on the preschool computers.  We only spent a few minutes on the computers but Zayden was able to "play" instruments on screen and hear the sounds in his headphones.  And, Zeke was able to play "Bingo" with Dora.  

Most places I can not take my children without extra help or an anxiety attack.  There is just so many things I have to restrict them from.  Our world is not welcoming to children...  But, This place is DESIGNED for kids, it makes my heart so happy!

I am a sucker for a beautiful and fun ABC chart.  I can't not take a picture.

How did he get so big?

I have always thought it would be fun to have a light table.  I will just use Imaginons' instead.  That way they are in charge of dusting it.  And, buying the light bulbs.

More learning toys that I don't have to organize, rotate or clean or find the pieces.

A boy and his blocks.

His language is exploding.  And, he couldn't stop saying, "tractor".

Zoe hit her next goal in the summer reading program so she earned a FREE book and she picked a Little House on the Prairie book and spent a good chunk of the ride home reading it!

.  

The sheet she has in hand was a super cute scavenger hunt activity that her and Zane raced around to complete.

And, then we were so lucky to be there for a "story adventure" craft and song program with Eric Carle books for ages 5-11!  Score!

We want to make it back before the summer ends to be sure and do the free Clifford Exhibit one more time!  They reserve 10a-12p for "family time" so you can be sure not to be over-run by camps during that time.  But, it is for 1 adult and a maximum of 5 children.  They let me exceed the maximum.

Other visits Zach usually visits the teen loft for 12-18 year olds but the war books kept him busy.  And, Zayden usually won't let us skip the wooden fire truck in the loft; which is right next to some awesome iPads with educational apps for older kids.

I have one final tip. No visit feels complete without walking through the city just 1 street over to Brixx for pizza!  If you ask in the box office they have coupons for Kids eat free with 1 adult meal.  We found out about these coupons when going to the school year plays which are AMAZING plays for children.

Whether you have 1 toddler or a half dozen children you will find a FREE and FUN and FRUITFUL adventure without being FRAZZLED!  How do you like that alliteration?  Wishing you all the magic and wonder that this special place brings!

*Note about parking.  They have a garage UNDER Imaginon.  And, it is free for the first 1.5 hours.  And, a few dollars after that.  But, if it is full which it is sometimes you can park in the 7th street station and validate by visiting that market!

One of my happy places!

Doesn't this picture make you want to take your child to the library?  I must say you don't even know how happy this picture makes me.  First and most important, I have been seriously working on Zeke's ability to smile in a picture.  He truly enjoys pretending to not notice group pictures are being taken and tries to sabotage them for attention.  I needed a proactive plan or else I would not have the pictures my 'Mom' heart longs for.  I have been jokingly giving him "smiling instructions" which is a fun way to giggle and give him attention. Today after we spelled all his names (his request) and his nickname on the library letter magnet wall, I asked him to smile for a picture and he obliged!!  I died from happiness.  And, then was quickly brought back to life when I realized Zayden was taking books off the library shelf one by one and replacing them wherever he felt they needed to return. Again.  It is a good thing Zeke looks so ridiculously ADORABLE in this picture because the battle he gave me to carry his fine waiver card in HIS WALLET almost broke me during our checkout process.

 They have a great selection of puzzles!  And, I am not in charge of organizing them.  That is the best part really.  

This picture is not from the library at all.  It's a Christmas present box I re-purposed into a crayon box.  It is my favorite picture I have ever taken.  It fits in a way I just can't explain right at this moment.  Just trust me.   

Let's be real.  The library can be very stressful.  There are people that shush you.  There are lots of things toddlers and preschoolers CAN NOT grab and in general it is a very quiet place and most children I have met are not very quiet people.  Each season presents new challenges on having a joyful library time with my kids. The struggle is real but it is really worth it.  I thought it would be fun to share some of the scoop.  I know I am just scratching the surface of the library and I think most of us agree it is an underutilized FREE tool!  This past "school" year we went most every Tuesday and it was one of my favorite parts of our school year rhythm.

Things I love about the library (besides the books):

1) Programs!  

The storytimes are FANTASTIC and I often get inspiration for songs and books to enjoy at home!  

The Summer Reading Program is a fantastic way to READ DOWN YOUR FINES.  With 8 of us checking out books, if we are just 1 day late it can be EXPENSIVE.  Did you know that you can read down your fines?  We have already earned about $50 worth of fine waiver cards this summer!  Sign up EVERYONE in your family for summer reading today!  Even adults can earn fine waivers.

2) Volunteer Opportunities -You can "adopt a shelf" to organize.  Kids can organize a section and log volunteer hours.  It is a great chance for a child to do meaningful work.  I know my kids would much rather be in charge of a section to alphabetize then do an alphabetical order worksheet.  And, they get to practice service!  And, they discover new books they would not normally pick.  I was blown away at the books that Zach would bring home from the library this year after he would serve an an organizer.   Books that cover a myriad of science and history topics; that he was interested in just from spotting them while he brought order to his ISLE.  

The day I saw the personal signs for this I was on a LIBRARY HIGH.  Until I realized that Zeke, Zadie and Zayden were running around crazy and re-arranging isles.  Highs and lows of motherhood are brutal.

3)  AUDIO BOOKS!  With 6 kids I am RUTHLESS about finding "low effort high impact" stuff. Audio books are huge for us.  We do them in the car and at room time.  The library has a HUGE inventory of playaways.  They are smaller then a mobile phone and you plug in headphones or speakers and you have a great book on audio. Preschoolers feel so BIG having their own audio version of "Giraffes can't dance" or "Winnie the Pooh".  

I made Zoe pose for this picture because I really want more pix on my blog!  I have this idea that it will make my blog more legitimate.  And, she so enjoyed the audio book that she is still listening to it now and coloring.  Score!

We also are JUST getting acquainted with Overdrive, another source for audio books through the Charlotte Mecklenburg website.  Zoe has listened to Alice in Wonderland and Anne of Avonlea on it.  How great to have FREE audio classics available!  And, I know we are just scratching the service of what is available.  Hoopla is also available through Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.  I would guess any local library is providing similar options.  

Reason #128 why I love children...

They dance in the rain.  They find the fun.  They are DRAWN to it.  All children are.  The world is their oyster and they do all they can to enjoy it!  They soak in the wonder and delight in every precious small and big gift.  I want to be more like them when I grow up.

Let me back up a bit.  After dinner, I was sitting on the porch and reflecting on the true real LEGITIMATE STRUGGLE of the day.  Multiple meltdowns during room time at the same time; while I prayed to God they wouldn't wake Zayden. Dinner seems like it should be a WHOLE other post.  But, I will just jam pack this one.  I made a new recipe.  Brunswick Stew!  I felt so resourceful using up the leftover rice and barbecue and homemade salsa.  I was officially giving myself an award in my head for being very homemakery.  Half my Z's ate it.  Zayden and Zach even had seconds and Steve loved it!  And, it was low calorie!  But, Zane, Zadie and Zeke...  I don't want to talk about it. Actually I am lying.  I completely and totally want to talk about it.  Let me give you a few quotes from dinner where I tried very hard to be a grown up but actually failed...

"Zane if you were playing me a drum song and I covered my ears in disgust and every so often let my hands off my ears to hear one second only to recover my ears, would that be kind!!??"

"Zadie if you colored me a picture and I wouldn't even take the time to glance at the picture..."

Well, I am sure you can imagine.  The words might have been okay but my heart... my tone was REVENGE, ANGER...  My children always show me who I really am.  Anyways.  Stressful but wonderful dinner.  And, other surprise stressers from the day that I was not handling great.  I went to the porch to relax while Steve directed after dinner chores.  

And, the rain starts.  I am contemplating crying.  And, then Zadie comes out the door followed by all the other Z's and they start dancing and playing in the rain.  Pure JOY!  

They danced, raced, and played.  And, I felt my heart soften.  At one point I found such humor in them riding bikes and scooters BAREFOOT but with a helmet!  We care about brains not feet in the Wagner household apparently.  And, then the rain stopped.  We talked about that God brought us the perfect sprayground but it was over and Zeke raced to the garage to grab a watergun and yelled, "I can make Mo RAIN!"  

And, now I have to go and do all the wet laundry!

PS- The cutest rain song I have ever heard for preschoolers is:  "If all of the raindrops" on the "Songs for Wiggleworms" album!  You can't listen to it without smiling and dancing!  DO NOT get the barney version you will pass out from disgust and annoyance.

Family Vision

On our drive home from the beach, Steve and I were dusting off our "family vision statement" and having a healthy discussion about where we are and where we want to head as a family.  We were first prompted to write a vision statement a few years ago through a Family Mentoring Class at our church. During the class we were asked to read, "What is a Family" by Edith Schaeffer. I loved this book because I starve for older, more experienced moms from which to learn mothering wisdom. Reading (then re-reading) this book provides the sort of wisdom I am yearning for.

I am so easily distracted.  You know the old adage, "you can't see the forest for the trees expression"?
That is ME.  All I see are trees, and snakes and sticks and dirt... I am so distracted by the small things, the scary things, the emergencies that Lord knows I am most definitely NOT seeing a forest.

Of course, by sticks and snakes and trees I mean tantrums, laundry, picking up the crayons and markers and making dinner for like the 7th time this week (for the 5,000th week in a row)!  But with an eye toward heaven and with both knees on the floor, I just take it by PURE faith that there is indeed a forest out there.

I love Edith's beautiful and wise Christ centered view of family. She helps me to see the forest.  She paints beautiful metaphors about family that make me step away from the sticks, the dirt, the snakes, the poison ivy, the tantrums, the illnesses, the bedtimes, the chores, the, the, the .... and see the beautiful breathtaking forest.  I so need that.

We landed on these guideposts:
1) Growing in truth, wisdom and character from the Holy Bible
2) Create a respectful, peaceful, and encouraging home
3) Foster a Love of Learning
4) Loving others through SERVICE
5) FUN!