New Beginnings

A new year has dawned upon us again, and at this stage I'm thankful for the excitement that is in my spirit. 

There is always something incredible about a new year, it's like the delectable aroma that oozes from freshly baked bread, or hearing a new song that makes your spirit fly, or meeting your nieces son for the first time or facing a wave in the ocean and then diving under it. 

A new year always brings that sense of new beginnings. 

Even though we are only hitting the middle of January, and I have already faced some fierce storms, I still believe that this is going to be our best year yet. 

We begin Ambleside Online's year 6 and I must say, as I open each package from the mail, and see the books that we are going to be reading this year, I'm filled with such child like anticipation, that I can hardly contain myself. 

I'm looking forward to learning, growing and having discussions with my children as we meet new people through these pages, and discover something new in history, of science, of someones life and how we can develop ideas. 

What a plethora of new beginnings we are about to embrace. 

I'm glad to share this journey with you. 

Inspired by Burke & Wills

For our Australian history this year we have been reading aloud H.E Marshall's - Australasia's story.

Marshall expresses herself so clearly with wonderful words from our English language which makes this book a delight to read aloud and to listen to.

Today we have been following the journey of Burke & Wills and their expedition leaving from Melbourne into the harsh conditions of the Australian outback. The story is quite a sad one mainly due to mans lack of wisdom and not listening to fellow comrades. 

You may know the story or may not but I really cannot see what came from such an expedition except loss of life. These stories we never read about in school and I am learning the truth of all that really took place those many years ago. 


I do admire the courage, bravery and passion that encompassed these first explorers, even just reading about their drive for adventure really inspires me to look beyond what is in reach and delve into the unknown, to keep learning more about God's world and step more and more into what I am destined for.


I'm also reminded of one of the very important reasons why we chose to home school our children, one of the foundations that we are building upon and that is the belief that our children are destined, the bible says that God has a plan and a purpose for each generation. 


I am so thankful for this reminder today as some days I just lose my vision due to grumpy and bickering children, or simply feeling unappreciated. I know feelings are deceitful sometimes but they can drag you down if you let them. 


But coming back to simple stories about our Australian explorers has truly lifted my spirits and I am reminded that I am giving my children the best education possible and I have the very power in my tongue to make a difference by encouraging them to reach new heights, to explore Gods creation and to become all that God intended them to be.

P.S We were all stoked to find this wonderful Irish folksong above, we all have and by 'we' I mean hubby, Joshua, Gracie and myself have been having a jig and a sing along. 

P.S.S I have my MOJO back, I was beginning to think I had seriously lost my mojo to write. YAY (-:
 

Glorious books

Do you have any idea of how happy I am

to find this today?

Well I am OVER THE MOON!

I haven't really taken a liking to

reading from the Internet yet.

I love to be able to take the book

anywhere I want to.

We will be reading

'As you like it' from next week.

I am excited!

I also picked up this~

We just finished reading Alice in wonderland last night,

we will read this one later on in the year.

We are reading Snugglepot & Cuddlepie first.

and this ~

Thank you Aldis!



Thank you Ambleside online!

This has been our first year of following Ambleside online wholly and I just have to say how refreshing it is to read lively books that have been beautifully written with brilliant illustrations such as 'Pagoo'.

This lovely story of the life of a hermit crab was one of the read aloud for Ambleside online y2 and this story absolutely captivated and inspired my ds. We finished this week and the first thing ds asks ~ 'is there number 2'?

I am so thankful to God for guiding me to the Charlotte Mason approach and to Ambleside online for providing there free curriculum according to Miss Mason's philosophy!

The last thing I just want to mention is how these great books bring our lessons to life, it is wonderful to just step away after maths and penmanship and get lost in the great minds of the writers.