Thursday, August 30, 2007

This bugs me....

This past weekend we were in a christian book store. There is a devotional book that I have been considering buying Caleb for a LONG time (Life Lessons from the Squire and the Scroll, Bishop), so I looked for it on the shelves. It wasn't there. But that isn't what bugged me, because it was a small store. What bugged me was that there were at least five devotionals for little girls (gender specific).

Well, I let it pass, thinking thoughts about small Maine town Christian book stores which might not have been very charitable. But I confess, I am a child of the age of Amazon. And while it has been easy to throw my support and enthusiasm behind local libraries (and not buying too many more books - which weigh a ton whenever you move), small local bookstores have a long way to go before they endear me....

Anyways. Back onto my rant.

Today I was pulling a few books online that I need to buy for ministry and homeschool, and just decided to give another look for the above mentioned book. Devotional books available at CBD: Boys 11, Girls 27. And it's no better over at Amazon. And when you expand the range to include teens, it doesn't get any better... maybe it gets even worse. I know you could argue that little boys aren't sit down reader/thinkers, that they are wired differently than girls, that they don't read until much later. But I'm thinking that the message being sent is very much that faith-growing is much more for little girls than little boys. AAACK!

I'm told by my best friend that the things that most get your goat may be the ones you are around to help solve. So, now I guess I need to make time in my schedule for writing devotional material for young boys, young teenage boys, and young men.

Yeah. And I'm so qualified to do that.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Okay... it's been 21 days since I last blogged

Today we enjoyed our third Tuesday of school. Yes, this is our third week of homeschool - with Caleb in the third grade and Anna in kindegarten. So that is why I have not been the most frequent blogger these days.

Again we are happily using Sonlight Curriculum. It is a good solid dose of literature, good history, and Bible education. We have used it since Caleb was doing PreK work so this is our fourth year.

Everything seems to be going well so far. I'm using a new math program with Caleb, and I am seeing improvement in basic skills and understanding every day. Anna is hungry to learn, and very smart. Sofia is determined to stay busy with the other two and has her own binder which she busily fills with her markers (determined to NOT use crayons).

I am particularly thrilled with three extras that we've been able to add this year: piano lessons for Caleb and Anna; drawing lessons; and Spanish lessons. I was concerned about adding these three because they are extra, because I am more in an upfront teaching position, and because I am learning beside the kids. I have minimal experience in all three places. As it has worked out, each day these are the highlight for all of us! I can call out to the kids 'time to come do Spanish (drawing, piano)' and there are cheers of joy!

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Another note about Caleb

Yes, I'm a proud mother, and I think I've worked hard enough as a Mom to brag once in a while.

Caleb finished Book 4 of Harry Potter, The Goblet of Fire, last night. He has read four Harry Potter books since June. And to think that three years ago I had a reluctant reader on my hands.

It would have been faster.....


.... to do it myself.

But with all the enthusiasm of an 8 year old, Caleb asked to help me mop the kitchen. So, I took a risk and let him. I sat in a kitchen chair and coached him, and he did a pretty good job. And he thought it was fun, and don't you dare tell him differently.