Endings Mostly

We finished school back on June 13th.  Yes, it was a Saturday.  After taking a much-needed week off to take the boys to the cabin in May, I found myself a week behind.  And so, I crammed two weeks into one week at the end, but I needed an extra day to jam it all in.  Oh, c'mon.  The public schools are doing similar things.  I know.  I used to live there.

Anyway, last week was full to overflowing with jury duty, play dates, a piano recital,  and the OCEANetwork homeschool conference.  Is it any wonder that I only just today accomplished one of our end of the year traditions?  I finally took Luke's picture with his favorite books from the year.  I took Paul's last week sometime.  I'm not even sure which day.  Last week was just one big blur, folks.

So, pictures.  That's we care about.  Right?  Right.  We'll start with Paul and his favorite books from the year.  There are two pictures because I think my son is adorable.

 Lots of books, I know.  He likes books, and we read a lot of great ones every year with Sonlight.  It rocks.

 Same books, different face.  All cute.

This is what happens every time we start talking about favorite books from the year.  He has to stop and reread a few.  September was a long time ago.

And now, through the magic of the digital world, we will pretend I took Luke's picture the same day.  Okay?  Good.


Lots of books.  Luke could not pick fewer than this.  If you don't know what to read to your kids this summer, call me.  I have a few titles to recommend.  ;-)

And just because it cracks me up...the bookshelf with all the books from last year...




And the bookshelf after Luke picked his favorite books:

I have said it over and over.  Sonlight is awesome.

And now a new tradition.  I took a picture of my favorite books from the year.  And I might write a bit about them.  Scroll down if books bore you.  And call me.  Because I might need to get you into a 12 Step Program.



Sticks Across the Chimney by Nora Burglon is the sweet story of a brother and sister, trying to make a living and survive with their now widowed mother in rural Denmark.  Mystery and intrigue are coupled with innocence and ingenuity as they find creative ways to make money while also exploring the ancient Viking tomb on their land.  It's so fun!

Red Sails to Capri by Ann Weil - I'm not kidding...if you haven't read this...stop reading this blog and go get a copy.  It's delightful.  A boy living on the island of Capri welcomes three foreign men to his father's inn.  One seeks adventure.  One seeks beauty.  And one seeks to explain a mystery to the world.  What they discover together accomplishes all three.  I. love. this. book.

Catching Their Talk in A Box by Betty M. Hockett is the biography of Joy Ridderhof, a woman who traveled all over the world making recordings of the Gospel in different languages.  Her dependence on the Lord for all things and her willingness to allow God to change her plans impressed and convicted me.  Yes, this book was part of a homeschool curriculum meant to instruct my children.

Peter the Great by Diane Stanley - Did you know that Peter the Great traveled to Europe and worked as a common laborer for part of his life?  This picture book taught me that and plenty more about a very important Russian Tsar.  I would NEVER know this stuff if I didn't homeschool.

Michelangelo by Diane Stanley - Another amazing picture book through which I learned the great artist didn't really like painting and considered himself more a sculptor than a painter.  Dang.  Better than that, when one of the religious uppity ups criticized him for painting too many naked people, he added the dude to one of his paintings...naked, of course.  WHAT?!?  For real.  Don't mess with Michelangelo, people.

Good Queen Bess by Diane Stanley - Last picture book.  Elizabeth I was awesome.  I think I knew this before I read this book, but hearing the story of how she inspired the troops before the fight with the Spanish Armada...well...it was inspiring!

The Door in the Wall by Maguerite De Angeli - The story of a knight's son stricken by illness in the Middle Ages who loses the ability to walk, thus bringing his entire identity into question.  Without the ability to become a knight, what will he become?  A poignant and meaningful story that prompted important conversations about what defines us as people.

Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski is the story of two families struggling against poverty in Florida at the turn of the century.  The feud that is brought on by a difference of opinion about property rights again sparked great conversations in our house.  Who talks about stuff like that with their nine and seven year old?!?

The Little Riders by Margaretha Shemin - A young girl and her grandfather hide the town's treasure, The Little Riders, from the Nazis during the WWII occupation of Holland.  Suspenseful but not scary, we read the bulk of this book in one sitting!  And I cried at the end because freedom and liberty are beautiful things.

Okay.   End book reports.  :-)  On to the piano recital!

Luke's piano recital was a week ago.  He did great.  I took before and after pictures, but no during pictures.  I was actually waiting backstage for our duet.  :-)

 Luke points out something on his program to his seat buddy, whom he has known since they were two.  For real.

 Smiling for the camera.

After the recital with Mrs. Fox.  We love this woman.

A few more pictures because I took them and they are fun.  This is my friend and me at the OCEANetwork homeschool conference together this past Friday.  We are in the vendor hall.  It might be one of my favorite places on the planet.  

Then on Saturday, Erik and I took a selfie together...in the vendor hall...again.  YES, we attended sessions about homeschooling!  But we also spent lots of time in the vendor hall shopping!  :-)

And this is me with three other dear women whom I adore.

Okay.  Last thing.  We had something end this morning that was a little sad.  Paul's beta fish, Jack, died.  We had some tears.  And then we went and bought a new fish for $3.99 at the pet store about a mile from our house.  Meet Blueflame.

We all like the red and purple combo on this guy. And he is adjusting nicely to life as a Bangsund. :-)