The Accomplishments of Term One

A slideshow representing student accomplishments during the first term, showcasing parents enduring commitment and students diligent work.

Much strength and blessings during term two.  ~ Jessica

{My apologies that not all students' work is included in the slideshow. If portfolio samples were submitted electronically in a format other than a jpeg file, then the student's work was not able to be represented.  I hope that you will still enjoy the work of others.}

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Simply CHRISTmas

Here in the great, big city where everything seems larger than life, where glitz and glamour is just around the corner, we're keeping it simple this year.

The Legend of the Candy Cane ~ Lori Walburg

Simple Homemade Christmas Cards ~ The children paint the art and then Mama gets it coloured photocopied for a refined finish. Always special.

Our Jesse Tree ornaments this year. A tradition started last year.

Our gift for Jesus this year. The children earn money towards Jesus' gift by showing a "servant heart" during the weeks leading up to Christmas. Our gift will be given to Imara and Uwizeymana {the oldest girls' Compassion sister-friends} and to the dear lady who sleeps on the street down from our home.

And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ ~ Matthew 25:40

Good old-fashioned popcorn and cranberry garland to hang along the window with gingerbread.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey ~ Susan Wojciechowski

Words to remind us ~ Love, Joy and Peace.

Warm sips of eggnog.

For unto us a Child is born, 

Unto us a Son is given; 

And the government will be upon His shoulder. 

And His name will be called 

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, 

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

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May your home be filled with blessed traditions and warm memories this year! 

Love, Jessica and family 

PS  ~ A couple of wonderful reads for December:
Treasuring God in Our Traditions
No Holly for Miss Quinn ~ A Novel by Miss Read

You may have seen this article before - it's been linked around the Christian homeschooling blogosphere a fair bit recently. In case you haven't, it's worth the read.

It's long. You may need time to pause and ponder throughout.

Maybe early in the morning before little feet scamper, or later in the quiet of the evening after babes' eyelids rest, pour a cup of tea, invest a few moments, and glean some wisdom from someone who has gone before us.

Exposing Major Blind Spots of Homeschoolers by Reb Bradley

In the last couple of years, I have heard from multitudes of troubled homeschool parents around the country, a good many of whom were leaders. These parents have graduated their first batch of kids, only to discover that their children didn't turn out the way they thought they would. Many of these children were model homeschoolers while growing up, but sometime after their 18th birthday they began to reveal that they didn't hold to their parents' values. {Read more here: Homeschool Blindspots}