Merry Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, Not even my mouse,
Daddy ventured off to get boys tucked in with care,
In hopes that deep sleep soon would be here.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-cookies danced in their heads.
And Mama in her chair with the baby, nursing for a nap,
Had just settled in for a movie, on tap.

When on her blog she realized, she's so scattered,
She forgot to wish everyone blessings amid all the chatter.
Away to the Apple, she flew like a flash,
Loaded the SD card and prayed it wouldn't crash.

The computer screen lit the living room aglow
And gave a lustre of pixels and a little light show.
Mama loaded the photos, typing with such speed,
And hoped that she wasn't too late, not too late indeed.

Amid all the cookies and the cards and the events,
She knew she had to say to the family and to the friends,
A baby is here to proclaim love's power and might,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Favorites

Mom:  Next week is your Gymnastics day camp.  Let's talk about what you'd like to pack for your lunch.

Jozef:  Rice-a-roni!

Mom:  Um.  No.

Royal Friends

The other day, Jozef and Marcel were playing with their Knight's Castle.  As we headed out the door later, the subject of King's and Queen's came up.

Jozef: Yes, Marcel, King's and Queen's are real.  Right Mom? 

Mom:  [frantically looking for toddler's royal shoes] Um... 

Jozef:  Remember how you told me that a Prince and a Princess were married this summer? 

Mom:  [stopping to actually think]  Ah, yes, that's right. 

Marcel:   Oh. 

Jozef:  I know a King and a Queen. 

Mom:  Well, Mommy doesn't actually know a King and a Queen, I just know about them. 

Jozef:  I know a King and a Queen. 

Mom: [perplexed] Oh?  Who is that? 

Jozef:  Jesus and Mary! 

Mom:  [stunned]  That's right, Jozef.  [smiling] 

Marcel:  Does that make St. Joseph a Prince, then? 

Mom:  Um.  No.  He's just a Saint.  [just a Saint?  What was I thinking?]

-----------------------

This afternoon, Marcel was talking baby talk right into Gemma's face.  It's a game she's familiar with.  The more she smiles, the more they talk baby talk to her.  It's a game...that never ends.  Marcel was using his best baby talk voice saying, "Who's a beautiful baby?  You are?"  when he stopped and thought.  Then, he told her, "Well, you are cute, Gemma, but you're not that cute."  Mom feigned offense and said, "Why not, Marcel?"  "Well," he began, "the most beautiful baby in the world was Jesus.  Then, Gemma."

I can live with that.

Homeschooling - A Great Liberal Arts Education

image source

This morning, as I headed to town, I listened to snippets of public radio extolling Portland State University for re-engineering their liberal studies program.  

PSU is a recognized leader among public universities that are trying to transform the way they teach the liberal arts to make undergraduate education more relevant and engaging to both students and the community. A growing number of colleges and universities across the country - both public and private - have adopted civic learning programs and other approaches to liberal arts instruction that connect "ideas with action."

"Interesting," I thought.  The host went on to explain that Freshmen and Seniors participate in a program that takes learning to the community.  Teaching city-kids about agriculture on learning-farms was one such example.  The PSU students could broaden their worldview by working to meet the needs of someone other than themselves.  In addition, they would work with students across other disciplines in carrying out their work.  

The other broad change was a new emphasis on students learning from each other. Lecture courses by a pontificating professor were discouraged. Students started leading discussions more.

The motto of Portland State is: Let Knowledge Serve the City.

The more I listened, the more I agreed with the host.  You see, the knowledge our boys' gain each day is often put to work in the community of our home.  In fact, I see the mission of homeschooling as educating the whole-person every day--mind, body and soul.  The boys' focus on their studies of catechism, grammar and math, and we often put the knowledge learned into practice throughout the day.  We talk about treating each other justly and attend confession as a family.  They bake with me and measure and count and we give what we have to others.  I serve them by daily housework and they serve the family as well with the chores they're given.


It's amazing how this type of experience is praised when it is gained at the college level but brushed aside as non-essential during the K-12 years. When discussing the benefits of the program, one Instructor noted, 

"[The senior-level program is] ...a final opportunity to be in a classroom with students from other majors, to learn how to work in an interdisciplinary team," says Capstone instructor Celine Fitzmaurice. "If you leave PSU and you're working in a job with a writer and an engineer and a marketing manager, you will have the skills to work and communicate and create something as a team. Whether it's in service to your company or to larger society."

A major benefit that I mentioned in the homeschooling interview I gave earlier this Fall, is that home schooled children often have the opportunity to work with a variety of children--those of similar and differing ages and social backgrounds--everyday!  Many families enjoy homeschool groups and/or opportunities afforded parents that are not restricted by a set school day structure.  These are interdisciplinary teams in their infancy.  =)

AACU President Carol Geary Schneider writes that the goal is to recast liberal education "no longer as an option for the fortunate few, but rather as the most practical and powerful preparation for 'success' in all its real-world meanings: economic, societal, civic and personal."

That spells great news for those of us that homeschool as well as those whose children are in public school with an active community life (in their family and beyond!).  


The good news for these college students is that they are becoming well-rounded persons.  The bad news for these students is they're paying in the 10's of thousands to gain that experience.  While I think the lessons learned are priceless, I'm not sure they'll agree when student loans come due.

Back in the 1960 and 70s, when liberal arts programs were at a historic peak of enrollment, many students had abstract reasons for going to college, says University Studies professor Leslie Batchelder. "People still had this notion of opening your mind and improving yourself and being a well rounded citizen," Batchelder says. "[College] was a lot cheaper then. [Today's] students, rightly so, don't exactly have these lofty ideals. It's more like, how can I get through this paying the least amount of money?"

I would certainly agree that college is time for the rubber to meet the road.  As a student, I would be looking for "required" classes to contain only those essential for me to gain my degree and graduate.  


Where else can a student gain these collaborative skills to help them become successful (economically, societally, civically and personally--and dare I say morally)?  To be honest, they don't need to look any further than their own family, church or volunteer organization.  

The Weekend In Pictures

7 Quick Takes

[ 1 ]

Christmas shopping is done!  And I call it "Christmas a la Amazon".  With 5 kids, there's no way we're going near a mall at Christmas time.  =)  Now, for the wrapping...  That will require a few good movies for me and Nate this weekend.

[ 2 ] 

We had our family Christmas pictures taken last week.  Gemma's solo-picture shows her favorite posture--tongue out!  She's been sticking her tongue out since she was born.  It's weird, but we're happy to have in memorialized in her shot.

(I took a picture of the picture, so it's a little grainy here)

Here's proof that the tongue-sticking-out is a habit from her early days...this summer.

[ 3 ]

Next Tuesday is St. Nick's Day.  That is the day that we traditionally exchange gifts with our boys.  We've been doing it for quite a few years and it works out well.  For our reasonings behind this idea, click here.  If you'd like to celebrate St. Nicholas in your house, the St. Nicholas Center has some great resources.

[ 4 ]

Two weeks ago was Cub Scout Creation Night.  Kolbe and Jozef stuck with a "space" theme.  We used a lot of silver spray paint!

[ 5 ]

In November, we made a GREAT chili recipe!  If you like beans in your chili, you'll love it!

[ 6 ]

This afternoon, I was transferring files from my laptop to my new Apple iMac.  Nate's known that I've wanted a Mac for some time and, last month, he told me to go ahead and buy one!  It has been great!  As I was transferring files across, and my laptop locked up time and time again, I remembered how I was pushed to the brink of frustration with it and why I bought the Mac.  It was a good laptop, but now I'm happy to move on.  =)  Here's the setup:

[ 7 ]

Next up, so Christmas baking and decorating!  Hope you have a great weekend!

The Essence of Advent

"What is the best way to spend the weeks of Advent?"  This question has weighed heavily upon me these last few weeks of November.  Truly, Advent is a time of waiting.  We do not have to wait for Christ to be born in a manger, that has already occurred.  However, we do need to prepare for Christ to enter into us!  Whether today or, at death.

Our time here, on Earth, is a time of continually preparing to behold Jesus.  The goal is to become more perfect each day to receive Him now and into eternity.

As Advent is a new year for the Church, so it should be for us.  What are we clinging to here within or without that is holding us from totally receiving Christ?  What habits do we have that are stopping us short from our goal?

Yesterday, I found a great article that really articulates this idea well.  My favorite line:

Start by doing. When we are doing nothing we are going nowhere. Inertia takes over. Do. Start a motion. Move. Build momentum. Make that first start. It's never too late. You are never too sullied -- not while you are still alive and able to read this!

Hair-Do

A first experience for Gemma and Mom.

Round 1 was a little rough.

We smoothed things out with a little water. 

 Oh what fun!