October 14

My middle son has been waiting since the beginning of our journey into the Middle Ages to read the story of William the Conqueror. He adopted the name "Guillaume," the French version of William, for his French and history studies this year, because he thought William sounded like an admirably tough warrior.

Serendipitously, we arrived at that chapter of "Famous Men" today -- on the 945th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. Sometimes I manage to plan these things, but today had nothing to do with me. I didn't realize the date beyond 1066!

Unfortunately, Middlest was devastated to discover that his chosen namesake was disliked by his northern English subjects, punished the rebels by destroying their land and leaving them to starve to death, enacted an 8 o'clock couvre feu (curfew; to cover fire), and was deserted on his deathbed by his own sons and assistants. (The biggest betrayal, I think, was the 8 o'clock curfew!)

As disappointing as it was to find out that a Norman conqueror was a bit of a bully, the boys still enjoyed this video of the Bayeux Tapestry by PotionGraphics.

(Warning: bloody embroidered war scenes)

In other coincidental news (if you believe in coincidences, which I don't)... tomorrow -- October 15 -- is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. I learned this through Pam, who linked to Niki, both of whom lost unborn babies this year. My heart is aching along with theirs right now.

I know now that the Lord directed me to Pam's post last weekend as a merciful whisper of things to come.

I counted myself fortunate enough to have made it through 10 years of motherhood without experiencing that kind of loss -- until this week. I was hoping to be able to tell you all of our joyous news in another month or so. I found out only last week that I would be due on June 10 -- Littlest's birthday -- with baby number 4.

But I started bleeding a few days ago. Just a little at first, and I tried not to worry. A dear friend of mine bled consistently through two of her pregnancies, and the boys are 4 and 6 now. But that is not my normal, and something (or Someone) inside me whispered, "It's your turn. Get ready."

Yesterday, UberDad and I spent the afternoon in the waiting room at the doctor's office with the 16-week pregnant mamas about to get their ultrasounds. We were probably kind of annoying, sitting there obnoxiously guffawing and making sarcastic remarks about the so-called "health news" coming from the waiting room TV. Our nervous energy was obvious. As was the picture of my already empty uterus.

The tears are flowing freely today. Normally, Fridays are our Racing Days. Race through homeschool and chores in the morning. Race through lunch so we can race to music lessons. Race from music lessons to the car wash to the library. Race home and collapse.

Today, the boys read to me on my bed, and I tried not to cringe too much when they bounced. We moved slowly next door to find some lunch. I tried not to get frustrated when no one had their shoes on or their instruments in hand when it was time to go. I dropped them off at the music studio, which I never do.

And then I came home to rest. I'll go back to pick them up soon. My boys are so amazing. They have been such comforters, even as I know they are sad themselves. I would not have told them so soon, but that's just how it worked out. They are amazingly trusting of how Life comes and goes.

I feel so blessed. To have three healthy children. To have known this pregnancy even in its brevity. To have compassionate friends, both close by and online. To have heard the Spirit's whisper, and to feel His comforting presence with me through this process.

I know the Lord is in control at all times, trustworthy at all times, and merciful at all times. And I know that this experience puts me in good company with so many mothers who also have had to let go when they least wanted to.

At the county fair -- the first field trip of fall

 

 

 

Around here, the last week of September never brings chilly weather or hints of autumn color. (Unless you count our outfits and that it was under 95 degrees today.)

The first week of fall is the week of The Fair. The county fair, that is -- the carnival rides, the 4-H animals, the hobby competitions, the food. As much greasy, fried, sugary, bad-for-your-arteries, good-for-charity, can't-get-enough-of-it-in-one-visit food as you could want.

We typically avoid the rowdy evening crowds, and make the most of the free morning School Days. Admission is free, and the fair puts on special shows just for the kids on these days. We especially like the hands-on science area, the farm animals, and seeing what our friends have entered in the exhibit halls.

And the food, of course.

Homeschooling lately

Nature study --

Redhumped caterpillars love redbud trees (and liquid amber, plum, apple, and walnut trees). We hoped we might see some cocoons and moths before we realized they're considered pests, but we suspect the neighborhood wasps got them first.

Most of our interest-led science studies have centered on pets the last few weeks. Minnie is our new dwarf hamster. She's very friendly, and seems to be adjusting well to our home. We've also been obsessively researching dog breeds, in hopes that we will eventually be finished with remodeling, and able to welcome a puppy into our home -- preferably one that doesn't eat hamsters.

History and architecture -- monasteries, castles, mosques and cathedrals...

We may not have cabinets in our kitchen, but we have lot of boxes with which to re-enact medieval battles!

Math --

"If they're friends, he shouldn't charge them anything, Mom!"

Reading --

Literature --

We finished listening to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, which was a hit. And Littlest got to see "The Sword in the Stone" for the first time. (The big boys agreed the book was better!)

I exchanged "Idylls of the King" for "The Lady of Shalott," but the boys were, sadly, unimpressed by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. They did like this obnoxious version.

Caedmon's Song was a nice introduction to early English poetry, and we enjoyed A Boy Named Giotto for artist study.



We're now finishing Beowulf, and beginning Arabian Nights.

Music --

Daily practice, lessons on Fridays, lots of Vivaldi for composer studies, and a little birthday concert for Great-Gramma Kathy, who is 82 today.

Happy birthday, Gramma!

2011-2012 Curriculum, part 2 - Medieval Literature and Fine Arts

Last week we dove headfirst into the fifth century A.D., joining the barbarians and leaving the Roman Empire in the dust and rubble. We are very excited about this year's plans to study the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation -- and British literature! We're using Famous Men of the Middle Ages to guide us along for history, and supplementing with lots of lit.

Literature and Historical fiction

The legends of King Arthur & His Knights of the Round Table -- Eldest and Middlest are each reading their own versions, and we're listening to Benedict Flynn's audiobook together.

 

Tales from the Arabian Nights -- I found a child-friendly illustrated version at the library for Scott to read aloud in the evenings.

Beowulf -- an online version to read aloud

Beorn the Proud -- the story of a Christian girl and the Viking boy who takes her as a slave when his family attacks her village in Ireland 

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle (library book sale find)

Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray

Redwall -- this is off Middlest's shelf, and I'll pick up the audiobook at the library as well.

Joan of Arc by Diane Stanley -- library book to supplement our Famous Men of the Middle Ages reading

Matilda Bone by Karen Cushman

The Beggar’s Bible by Louise Vernon

Huguenot Garden

Morning Girl

Shakespeare
Usborne Stories of Shakespeare
Shakespeare for Kids
As You Like It (1936) - Netflix instant download
MacBeth : For Kids (Shakespeare Can Be Fun series)
Henry V (1989) - Netflix instant download

Poetry
Idylls of the king - Alfred, Lord Tennyson
A Foot in the Mouth: Poems to Speak, Sing and Shout

Read-alouds for Littlest

The End of the Beginning by Avi -- we're loving this book together

Various picture and poetry books from the library and our shelves boxes shelves (when I get the boxes unpacked), some taken from Ambleside's Year 0 list:

Mother Goose
A Child's Garden of Verses
The Little House
Make Way for Ducklings
Lentil
The Duchess Bakes a Cake
The Adventures of Peter and Lotta
Peter in Blueberry Land
Burgess Book of Animals



For all the boys:
Little Men by Louisa May Alcott, one of my all-time favorite books

Audiobooks:
Heidi
Wind in the Willows

Art
Last year our picture study was integrated into Lively Latin's history, so I didn't have to purchase or plan much else. This year we're using Harmony Art Mom's Artist and Composers Study. The Popular Composers CD is awesome. We accidentally listened to two weeks' worth of Vivaldi on errand day. Oops! ;)

Dore's Illustrations of Idylls of the King
Harmony Fine Arts - Artists and Composers Study, Medieval and Renaissance, Grade 2, with...

Art of the Middle Ages

Marguerite Makes a Book
David Macauley's Mosque, Cathedral and Castle (and the DVD version of Castle)
Michaelangelo by Diane Stanley

Music
Eldest - cello
Middlest - violin
Littlest - viola (He is counting down the days until his first lesson this Friday!)
Harmony Fine Arts - Artists and Composers Study, Medieval and Renaissance, Grade 2

That's it so far! Littlest's read-aloud list is far from complete, so perhaps I'll flush it out later on.