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New Years Goals: Simplify, and Love Life!

What is the seasoning in life? What is it that puts that sparkle in each day?

There are so many "have to-s", and "must-s" and "hurry up-s". What are my "I enjoy this-s",  "isn't that inspiring?-s", and "Look at how her face lights up!-s"?


For our family, those are found in surprises, breaks in routine, activities that we do once or twice a week, others that we do a few special times during each day. They can include art, music, creativity, fresh air, nature, friends, and good books!

For sure, we need to continue on steadily, like the Tortoise, in that old fable about him and the hare, 


with our: math, language arts, history and science, those are our meat and veggies, our complex carbs...they Sustain us! 




But, it's also important to have some: rosemary, mint, thyme, oregano, parsley, cilantro, lemon balm, lavender...in our diets, and that's what those extras are.






The only problem is: Where do we fit them in? In my early years of homeschooling, I threw caution to the wind, and allowed a lot of time for spontaneity, but in more recent years, I know that my children need structure, and discipline to help them achieve their academic goals. 


I have felt internal pressure to fit as much into one day as I could... so the kids wouldn't miss out on anything...


But, what I've finally come to understand is: planning in my sweet friend, not my ugly master! and that Small doses go a long way!


It seems so obvious, as I look at it now, but without the experience behind me, it was hard to see that even one hour, one or two days a week on a fun subject can inspire and enliven a child's mind!  


So often, I would mean to get to the Fun Stuff, but because it wasn't scheduled in, and because I felt like a small dose wasn't going to do much good, I just skipped it, and moved on to more "should-s." 


So, for the first month of the new year, I have decided that: 


Two days a week, we will spend a few minutes on art appreciation in the morning, after our devotions, and in the afternoon, we will have an art lesson, or simply create art/do nature journaling...










Two other days, we will spend a few minutes in the morning studying a composer, and listening to his music, and that afternoon we will have a music lesson, or simply play music and sing together...




Let's hope 2011 will be seasoned with much love and grace, as well as the arts!


 May God bless your family in the New Year, and inspire you to enjoy the world around you, search for the hidden treasures that He has in store for you, and find them with much joy and laughter!


Love,


Jennifer
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