We Have Crabs...Really!

May...a month of reflection and new beginnings. We've closed the books (literally) on another school year and I've finished our portfolios. May brought the end of our CC year and with that, I've said goodby to being the director of our local Classical Conversations Community and hello to more focused time at home. I loved my CC job but feel that I need to step back and take a deep breath.

"Be selective. Keep some items on the table. Keep your load light enough to enjoy the journey, not just endure it. In the process you will find it easier to focus wholeheartedly on those who are walking beside you." When More is Less- Simply Charlotte Mason

Early Spring

M's journal entry of a beach find.

May is one of my favorite months. I'm always awed at the seemingly sudden appearance of stunning plants emerging from what looks like barren soil. So, we've been spending lots of time outside gardening and taking in the beauty of God's creation. Both girls started a pressed flower notebook that they will add to each season. We are using this beautiful notebook as a guide throughout the year along with these outdoor challenges . Spending last week at the beach was just plain fun. Before the trip, we began reading Pagoo by Holling Clancey Holling and our exploring juices started flowing. We were fascinated by all the sea creatures, especially the horseshoe crabs (living fossils) and hermit crabs. We even adopted two hermits, painted shells and all. They live in M's dresser drawer.

Morning and making friends with a horseshoe crab.

This morning we started our Summer Schole group. What a delightful way to spend a Friday morning. And yes, my dear old friends, I'm the grandma of the group! (and I love it.)

Drawing nature treasurers

We also started a Sister Schole group this week. Once a month we will meet and discuss For The Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macauley.  I truly believe that if I'm going to raise our children to be the best that they can be, I have to work on being my best self also. Learning is a life long pleasure.

Hermie. Can you see his little eyes?

"Life is just too interesting for boredom." 

Why do I write this blog? Why do I organize these schole groups? The Real Deal is that I want to be a better mom, wife, and friend the second time around. I'm striving to be a model of virtue for our young daughters, my adult children, and my granddaughter.

"Children at that age are only copies of their mother. The size is smaller; that is all."  Les Miserables         OUCH...       

 If I can be a source of encouragement and inspiration to a young mom, I will be in bliss. It's never to late to change; in fact, we're changing all the time as are our children. As an older mom, I look back on so many mistakes that I have made and most of them involve not taking the time to get to know my children. I'm not going to do that again and I encourage all parents to slow down. Our children will thrive if we nourish them with stimulating ideas, absorbing pursuits, healthy habits, and a sense of humor. But most of all, take the time to get to know them.

"It's about every single day being a new day. And each time you wake up, you look at the sky you've been given as a gift. The day is here. What are you going to do with it?"  The Talent Code by  Daniel Coyle.                   

Pagoo. He has cute eyes also.

I guess this quote from East of Eden pretty much sums up my feelings about my life right now.

"I don't want to know how it comes out. I only want to be there while it's going on."

Melanie

They made these gorgeous skirts!