A [person] should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul. -Goethe
And so ends September. We spent this hot month creating habits for ourselves as simple as making our beds before breakfast or reading a story together outdoors mid-morning. Intending to learn each day, I can vouch it has happened consistently, whether through a book or a song or an un/favorable interaction with one another. Many days it seemed the life and relational lessons out-shined the academics ones! In September we also began the new school year with our local Classical Conversations group — always a fun and exhausting day in the week — where we meet with other homeschooling families and the kids practice public speaking in front of their peers (and parents), learn a new art skill, help with a science experiment, and are introduced to our weekly memory work (facts in eight different subject areas). At home, those facts serve as a foundation for our reading and exploring throughout the week, as has been the case all last month. A few more highlights of our {home}school during September:
1. painting outdoors and drawing using the elements of a shape
2. eating our snacks and reading aloud outdoors each morning (since the September afternoons were still quite unbearable)
3. taking our work with us on the road
4. reading a large variety of books, including Garfield anthologies
5. planting a fall garden and oak trees in our yard
6. prioritizing an afternoon a week of alone-time for mom
7. {the girls} beginning a dance class focused on worship
8. implementing technology in our school routine (new for us)
9. borrowing numerous library books about Ancient civilizations & their mythologies, plant and animal life, and (if you look closely) Captain Underpants, naturally
Today, we welcome this first day of October and its fresh blast of cool air, expectantly searching out more of the beauty God has implanted in and around us.
