Homeschool Diva

I want to instill in our children the love of story.  It is one of my main homeschooling goals. It is probably one of the main reasons I love the Ambleside Online website so much and the homeschooling curriculum found there.  It is packed full of wonderful literature and a well thought out and laid out plan for introducing our children to the love of not only learning but of really good stories.  I think that skill is pivotal in their holistic formation as disciples of Jesus too.  His story is so powerful and we are part of it living it out in this world.   If we can immerse them into His powerful narrative, not just facts, and memorized verses, but the whole redemptive plan laid out by God, they will  be guided well through this life. Their faith wont be something that their parents adhere to, but they will be captured by it and hold it as their own.

 I have just  read Charlotte’s Web out loud to the children.  As an adult I find it a profound narrative that blesses me deeply as I read it out loud to our children.  As I think about this book and others that we will read with our children, I am inspired by the power of good story telling.  It is something I aspire to improve at. 

Imagine, an ugly runt that wallows in manure all day, destined to death, is saved by the smallest most insignificant creature who writes amazing messages that inspire the masses.  These messages are actually counter cultural to all that people thought a pig could be. This small creature shames the wisest in the barnyard and preaches messages of hope that actually teach Wilbur his worth.  In her death, Wilbur’s life is saved and he is able to continue to spread the original message of hope.  Sounds like a radical concept that might just change the world. 

It makes me start to dream.  Dream of how I will be able to relate things of the kingdom of God to our children, using this beautiful story as a reference point for them.  In this story, hidden meaning of the kingdom of God is revealed and that is the power of good narrative! Thanks E.B. White.  You told  a darn good story!

We love the library.  We are on a first name basis with the librarian.  We check out our home school books for the week, a few Spanish children’s books and an appropriate DVD. 

Some time ago, we checked out Rescue Heroes for our youngest.  He adored it and I KNOW we returned it to the library. At least I think we did. He asks for it all the time.  The library can’t find it and we have renewed it 3x hoping it would pop up. It hasn’t.  We have torn the house and van apart looking for our lost item:-(  So now the library said, I could pay for it with them at the cost of 24.95 with a 4.95 processing fee. WHAT…do they think it was made of gold?

So I just reordered it today on Amazon for 4.91 with 2.95 shipping.  Once I receive it, with the shipping and late fees, that I can’t stop until I produce something to them, I will have about $9 in…$13 if they charge me the processing fee.  Much better than $30 don’t ya think.

I guess it is bound to happen, but it irks me!  I guess we do borrow hundreds of dollars of books a week from them, so one missed item isn’t a bad track record.