So my girls are not the eggheads I’m speaking of–this time. This week marks the three week countdown to the end of our first year of homeschooling and this week is our vegetable unit. It seems kind of silly to me to mark out time to talk about and do these activities for this part of our curriculum. You see, we’ve planted several things from seed already and talk almost daily about vegetables and nutrients, and of course God’s provision and creation of such delicious and amazing things. The more I do homeschooling, the more I realize that most learning at this point is done conversationally–by answering questions and just being there to explain the world around us. The work we do will be mostly redundant this week, but we’ll push ahead and do the work so we teach the girls about finishing strong.

One fun activity we decided to start last week in preparation for our veggie unit was to make eggheads. Basically you just boil an egg, cut of the top and carefully take out the egg white and  yolk. Then you stuff the empty shell with cotton balls, sprinkle the top with mustard seeds (which we just happened to have in the pantry) and keep the cotton balls moist. Oh, and don’t forget the most important part–to draw a face on your egghead. We did this last Tuesday and by Thursday the seeds had already sprouted and today they are at least an inch high! Not only has this been so much fun for us but it will be a great illustration and conversation starter in discussing having faith like a mustard seed. Anywho, check out our “eggheads”.

“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17:20

Last August we started our own little homeschool. I decided to start my 4 year old on the My Father’s World kindergarten curriculum. I did this not because I want to rush her into academics, but because she was bored and the pre-K curriculum looked too easy for where she was at. We have really enjoyed doing this together. Rewind 8 or 9 years and a childless me desired to teach any children I might have in the future. I don’t necessarily think other methods of schooling besides homeschooling are wrong, I really just believe God put it in my heart to want to do this. Now that I am in the swing of things I have to say I’m in it for the long haul–as long as my girls are (they haven’t revolted yet).

Earlier this year I debated with myself for weeks about continuing or doing a private classical school. I think there were just too many benefits to homeschooling for us to choose to do anything else. Besides that it is just so rewarding! Sophia has been reading for a few months, but in the last few weeks has really gained more confidence. It’s given me so much joy too, to know that I had a part in giving her that lifelong skill. Here’s a video of Sophia reading a little “story”.

Last week my girls, with me as a helper, planted some seeds that they begged for when we were out shopping. In just five days we discovered that, in spite of some overzealous watering, some of our seeds had germinated and sprouted. My girls, at the ripe old ages of 4 and 3 have never planted anything from seed before – and me, at the over-ripe old age of . . . oh nevermind. I’ll just say that this is a new experience for all 3 of us. How I made it 11,632 days of living without ever planting anything from seed is crazy to me. I have planted a few things from seedling before – actually hundreds of things if you count my time treeplanting – but this is different.

I feel like we’ve entered a whole new level of wonderment with this new project. To witness a tiny little seed morph into a huge, beautiful plant (hopefully and prayerfully) is to witness the glory of God!  The glory of God is all around us if we just stop to notice and slow down to think upon it. That is what I am loving about our latest foray into gardening – it causes us to slow down and take notice of a merciful and creative God. I am a homeschooling Mom so I have been discussing things like germination, sprouting and photosynthesis with my girls, but there is a lot more going on here than biology!

Zac, my husband, and I both grew up without a musical education, unless you count “hot-cross-buns” that I learned in 4th grade on a borrowed recorder. We both felt pretty strongly about having our girls play something (besides a recorder of course). I have rarely witnessed a musician who didn’t seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. Creating music just seems soul satisfying. I really mean that in a non-flippant way. I mean, we were made in God’s image – musical inclinations and all!

Piano was my first choice, but with our limited space it just didn’t seem possible. Last summer God brought a Suzuki violin teacher across my path and Zac and I quickly decided (along with our just-turned-4-year-old) to start lessons in the fall. Not only was it affordable, but the required instrument was a perfect fit for our small place!

Some may think 4 is too young to start – we obviously don’t. We do the Suzuki method, which was developed by Shinichi Suzuki. It was his theory that young children could learn the violin in a similar way that they learn language. Listening to the first pieces that they will eventually learn to play is the first step. Repetitively. Next is a student-teacher-parent integrated approach. The student gets a lesson at least once a week led by the teacher, and daily at home led by the parent. The parent observes the weekly lesson and then works on techniques at home. It is not for the faint at heart. But, there are many benefits.

1. Gaining a lifelong art/skill - This goes for any musical education. I don’t think I have met one person who doesn’t love music; who isn’t moved by it in some way. To be able to create from their mind and body such beautiful melodies is truly incredible. There is always a possibility of a profession too.

2. Learning perseverance - There have been many times when either me or my 4 year old have wanted to quit. Learning new skills is never easy – but persevering through adversity and actually gaining those skills is so satisfying. I remember a few months ago being frustrated with just teaching how to hold the violin under my daughter’s chin. I really didn’t think she would learn how to hold it there without dropping her violin. Now, it almost seems like second nature to her.

3. Learning discipline – Obviously. You have to practice or have a lesson 6 days a week. It ain’t easy. Teaching a child discipline is priceless though, and will hopefully carry over into other areas of their lives.

4. Positively influences brain development/memory – Learning the violin engages the whole brain and has been shown to improve memory in young children – and what parent doesn’t want their kid to have a better memory?!

5. It’s just plain ol’ fun! - When my 4 year old plays the first part of the first piece she is learning – she really is having a great time. It is so rewarding to stick with something and see results. I’m sure as time goes on and she learns more songs she will love it even more.

One last word to the wise – I am not the most disciplined person in the world and we have managed to make it months and there are no signs of us stopping. So, if you are thinking about musical educations for your young’uns, my advice is to just jump right in!