Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our Family to Yours! 

We rejoice in the birth of a Savior who came to save us; one who brought Light to our darkness and hope eternal. The weary world rejoices!! This year is especially poignant because we are waiting on the arrival of a baby boy too. It makes our hearts especially thoughtful to the Child King who was born long ago. 

 

Wintering

And just like that, our Indian summer is over and we've had our first snow.  We're settling into tea and stove mode and Christmas music is often heard coming from the music room.  There is a fair bit of nesting too as we prepare for Baby's winter arrival.  But in the meantime we're finishing up Term 1 of our school year with field trips to places George Washington visited, visits with Nana for her 98th birthday, golden hikes on the Perkiomen Trail and lots and lots of make believe.  Living history is really the best.... our afternoon read alouds by the fire often spur an impromptu Shakespeare performance or a re-enactment of an historical event.  Current interests at 10, 8 and 3 include colonial cooking, learning to drive the tractor, firewood gathering, Irish fiddle music, and science experiments (currently finishing up the Muscular System).  A few "phoebeisms" I hope to never forget include: "I have an ear confection"  (ear infection), "I really like Anne of Green Bagels" (Anne of Green Gables), "Do not give me an apple because Adam sinned with his apple".........  

Ten is Wonderful

                         

Darling Girl,

    We've been blessed with your life for a decade now and we marvel at God's goodness.  You were born an old soul, so it is no wonder that you have felt grown up for a while.  Yet the changes we see are beautiful- reminding me of a butterfly's metamorphosis or a flower blooming. You are a voracious reader and I doubt that will ever change. You seem to eat and breathe books and because you do, you've challenged me to find books new to me.  (Not an easy task) But it is such a joy to introduce you to my dearest literary friends and to talk about them. You are also quite the creative writer, always journaling, compiling newspapers or articles, book reviews or your own short stories. You have a tender heart, a servant all around, gentle and kind, always noticing when there is a need for an extra hand.  You do not like to go to sleep and stay up late in your imaginative world.  You also love to be outside in your Forest Bakery and have created a recipe book.  You love learning, languages and music. Cello is possibly your favorite thing and we've seen you grow ever so much in your natural musical fluency.  Happy Birthday dear Emmeline, our Emmie B- may God bless and keep you always, now as you reach your first milestone and throughout your life. We love you! 

 

Growing

As the last summer flowers fade away and we harvest the last vegetables, Autumn puts on her glorious garb and everything seems to be a glow. We learned a lot about growing things and putting food away for the winter days.  The Little Gardeners especially loved watching the elderberry ripen this fall and racing to harvest it before the birds got to it.  We always miss the vibrant colors come winter so we are savoring them now. 

But we are growing still!  A little man is scheduled to join our Little Women come winter.  We are excited and shocked at the change of variety and the big sisters are over the moon.  Phoebe still thinks it is Humpty Dumpty. 

There is an abundance of sister love and some fun Human Anatomy experiments going on for all.  Edible ones are especially fun.  

The Forest Bakery is in full time business so be sure to stop by to see the new addition and put in an order.  

There are many ballet recitals happening and re-enactments still ongoing.  We also enjoyed visiting some special friends. 

We are thankful and blessed for busy Autumn days, a growing baby boy and three busy girls! 

 

Abundance

Our summer has come to an end and our Autumn has begun! But the overlap was rather magical. Learning at home is that way.....  there are no black and whites, rather rounded corners and chapters melting into each other.  We've been blessed with an abundance of lovely experiences where we learn to live life to the fullest.  A trip to the folk festival where we learned about the ways of the past made us savor the blessings of the present and bring history to life.  A brief jaunt to the seaside helped us be still and to listen.  An escape to the mountains encouraged rest and adventures with kayaking and hikes. In between we harvested and worked like little farmers, bringing in our pumpkins and putting our garden "to bed" for the year.  We canned peaches so that we can taste summer in the bleak mid winter and we began to expand the rhythm to our days, adding in new subjects and enjoying the return of old ones.  It's a delight to have the girls beg for Shakespeare or Plutarch, or to "stay longer in Colonial America". We are learning to treasure each moment, for each is a gift sent from above.