Seven Quick Takes on Watching Persuasion with my Girls, Planning a Birthday Cake, and More!

:: 1 ::

Last Friday night, Siah and E-Age-Twelve deserted me in order to go to a hockey game. I decided this was the perfect opportunity to watch the copy of Persuasion Friend H. had lent to me with the girls.

In order to pacify O-Age-Six, who had to go to bed, I did an extended reading of bedtime stories. Then, when he was settled in, the girls and I snuck into my room to watch. It was oh so much fun! They are still too young to completely follow such a movie, so they asked a lot of questions, but I think they felt all the right things about it, if you know what I mean.

 

:: 2 ::

A-Age-Nine is becoming A-Age-Ten this month. This means we’ve been dreaming about cake design on Pinterest. She’s decided on a meadow-inspired combination using these chocolate trees around the sides, and topped with some grassy frosting and some Schleich deer figures. Can you tell she just finished reading Bambi?

 

:: 3 ::

Since I’ve been writing on burnout this week — and will be again next week — I thought I’d share with you my theory. I mean: why February? What’s so special about this month. I’m not saying this is the only reason, but I just thought I’d mention that I often wonder if February is the worst month because most of us are completely depleted of our Vitamin D stores by now, and we can’t start making more until next month at the earliest.

I have no clue if I’m right, but I think it’s an interesting theory.

 

:: 4 ::

This week’s link collection:

• Your Kid is One of Those? from The Stepford Mom Experiment
  • I totally get this. We don’t vax. My best friend’s family does. This doesn’t have to be the relationship deal-breaker people are making it out to be.
• Why Nationwide Did Us No Favors on Super Bowl Sunday by Cindy Rollins
  • I didn’t watch the game, but I did watch this commercial. I always love a post from Cindy, don’t you?
• I Can Sum Up Marriage In These 11 Texts I’ve Sent My Husband by Susannah Lewis
  • Oh, how I laughed!

 

:: 5 ::

How many of you bought Candace’s Advent book, Jesus: Light of the World? Well, you might be interested to know that she’s come up with something similar for the Lenten season. Her newest {and might I mention how gorgeous it is?} book is called Wait Only Upon God and it follows a similar format to her Advent book. It’s basically 40 days of pondering the idea of waiting on God. She includes Scriptures and devotional thoughts and even a place to write out prayers.

And did I mention it’s pretty?

 

:: 6 ::

For at least four years, I’ve been trying to get my hands on a copy of Dark Pilgrim: The Story of Squanto by Feenie Ziner. It’s the preferred biography for AmblesideOnline Year Three, but because it is out of print and so very expensive, there is another book that most of us must use.

A few weeks ago, I was able to find a copy for less than $30. That’s still an expensive book, but I had some Christmas money, and I’ve been wanting to know what the fuss is all about.

Now I know.

This is the best book ever. It gives a glimpse into the British kidnapping and slave trade of American Indians. Told through the perspective of Squanto, you come to feel you know him so intimately. It’s a living book in the very best sense.

I’ve been reading it aloud at lunch, and even requiring narration, and the children are eating it up. I’m not going to say you should spend a hundred dollars on it, but if you ever find a less expensive copy, buy it! You’ll be glad you did.

 

:: 7 ::

Some questions you’ve asked:

• Question: What is a WoW chart?
  • Answer: I’m not sure. Possibly a Way of the Will chart, and if so Nancy has an example of one on her website.
• Question: How about this mysterious tea-time I keep hearing about – i.e. what is the point? What is accomplished during said “tea time<” is it even CM or just something that CM folks tend to do? Can you tell I’ve been wondering about it?
  • Answer: Lizzie explained this well back in October, actually! You are not the only person who has wondered about it. 🙂
• Question: Is there a way to subscribe by email rather than RSS feed?
  • Answer: Yes! Use this form: