Classical Conversations

One of the reasons I have been neglecting my poor blog (and opting for the much quicker and easier Facebook) has to do with a program my son participated in for the first time this past academic year.  For second grade, Andre joined Classical Conversations, which supplemented his education through Visions Charter School.  Considering the nature of the program, it proved to be a rigorous school year for us both!  I can't say enough about how impressed I am by this program, which challenged Andre to memorize and retain facts I never would've imagined he had the capacity to do.  Here's just a few of the things he learned in Cycle 1:

• All of Exodus 20
• All the presidents of the United States
• Times tables up to 15, squares and cubes
• History timeline from Creation to present day
• Facts such as what caused the fall of Rome to the four types of ocean floors to the major provinces of Canada and the major types of vertebrates and invertebrates.

My mom joined the hubby and I in attending the end of the year's Open House and was blown away by how much knowledge the children had retained.  What makes the program even more attractive to me as a Christian mom is that their focus is to train children to "know God and make Him known."

Andre's class, Tribe of Asher

Andre giving his presentation.

The children are required to give a presentation each week.

Andre dissecting an owl pellet and identifying the various bones.

Dissecting a crayfish.

Learning to play the tin whistle.  The class learned "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"

and "Mary Had a Little Lamb".

Going on a nature hike to identify flora.

For Art, painting like Michelangelo (Sistine Chapel-style).

 Presenting their Classification of Living Things chart.

Class picture, with their amazing tutor, Mrs. Whittet.

At the end of the year, each student is presented with a notebook

of all the year's artwork and science project worksheets.

Spring Bliss & Summer Fun

So many pictures, so little time!  I'm an avid photographer, so I tend to take more than my fair share of photos.  I think I do this because I don't want to miss anything.  Moments are so brief and all too soon forgotten, so I do my best to capture those moments before they fade from memory.  My hope is that the photos I take will call to mind the joy, satisfaction or thrill that was felt at the time...even if it's only an echo of it.  Here are some photos of the more notable enjoyments of the last few months.

"I'm glad I am alive, to see and feel 
The full deliciousness of this bright spring day."
William Allingham

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~Yosemite~



Evergreen Lodge

 Andre's favorite part of the lodge--s'mores every night!

 How great is nature and how small we truly are.

Upper Yosemite Falls


~Disneyland~

Bonding time with the cousins.

 They look like they are at the Happiest Place on Earth.


Toy Story Midway, one of our favorite attractions.

 Checking out the new Carsland.

Family

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"Come we to the summer, to the summer we will come..."

John Clare

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~Santa Cruz~

Seven years had passed since we last saw Billy's cousin and his family.  At the time, we had visited them in San Diego.  Andre was no more than one.  Since that time, Anthony, who is in the Navy, had traveled to several locations before recently settling down in the Central Valley.  We couldn't pass up the opportunity to meet each other somewhere halfway.

 The boardwalk.

Such vibrant colors!

Cousins photo

It was so nice to have the opportunity to spend time with extended family at such a fun, lively place.


~Fourth of July at HMB~


One of the things I associate with summer...blowing bubbles!

And beach volleyball...


Wet and wild crew!


Friends 'til the end.


~Camping at Albion~

Upon invitation, we took a trek to Mendocino County to stay the weekend at the Albion Campground.  It was a wonderful trip!  Surrounded by nature and the simplest of essentials, it was a relief to be unplugged and unfettered from the usual routine.  Here, there was little more to do than to breathe deeply of the sea-scented air, to study the breaking waves and the cloudless sky, to sit around a fire at night, toasting marshmallows and conversing under the stars.

Just a short walk from the campground, beneath a Redwood trestle bridge, lay the great Pacific Ocean.

Andre showing his dad something he found by the shore.

Quality time with Grandma.


Conquering the rock!

Fishing!  Much of the weekend was spent engaged in fishing and crabbing.

Fishing off the dock.


Fishing at sea.

Andre catches a red snapper!

He can't watch as Dan guts the fish.


Billy and I get to run off to Mendocino for a few hours.

The quaint seaside town is as gorgeous as ever.  Can we move here?
One can dream...

The rugged coastline

When we return to the camp, what do we find?  The three are fishing and crabbing yet again!

The sun setting on camp.

We were thankful to my mom and Dan for allowing us to enjoy such a restful time with them.

Andre's Spring Recital

This is a clip of Andre's recital from May of this year.  This is his third recital since he started learning piano in February of 2012.  I think you'll recognize the tune:)

Thanksgiving 2012

Our family is very small and most of our extended family spread out across the country (or the world), so unlike other families who have the joy of gathering together with their clans, our holiday affairs are generally quiet and low-key.  Though I've often longed for the sort of camaraderie I imagine larger, noisier families have, our family does its best to make the most of its small numbers.  One thing that's easier to do with a small family is...travel!  In the past, we've sometimes traveled to visit those families who live out of state.  This year, we thought it would be fun to rent a cabin in the woods.

What a pleasant surprise to find that there was snow!

Thank you!

This cabin--built in the 1930's--was so charming with its authentic period details.

This is where Andre slept--with the giant teddy bear that was bigger than him!

Long underwear;)

Beware of bears!

A stash of books and games.

Andre goes for the book, of course.

Mom in the kitchen, as usual.

My adorable nephew.  Half the photos I took were of him.

Grandma with her precious grandsons.

Cutie pie!

 Cabin across the way.

So peaceful.

How many guys does it take to light a fireplace?

S'mores time! (We had s'mores almost every night.)

The nephews dressed for their photo shoot.

Dad lending his assistance.

Sledding fun!

Tristan is ready to go.

A family that plays together...

Grandma watches from the sidelines.

 Uncle and nephew

Cousins

Brothers

The magic hour.

Taking advantage of the lovely light.  

There are some times of the day where it's almost impossible to take a bad photo.

Tahoe, blue as ever.

~ Thanksgiving Day ~

The table is set...

Tree of thanks

What are you thankful for this year? 

 Everyone took turns around the table, elaborating on their blessings.

 Big or small, there's always so much to be thankful for.

Thank you, Lord!