Queen Hatshepsut and the Best Job

Nathan building a pyramid out of sugar cubes and frosting for our study of Egypt.

About a week ago, we were listening to the story of Queen Hatshepsut (of the New Kingdom of Egypt) from The Story of the World Volume 1.  She was a woman who wanted to be Pharoah.  But, at that time, women could not be rulers.  She ended up being able to rule because she was the regent for her nephew who was next in line for the throne.  The people did not accept her in a power of authority because she was a woman.  She told them to think of her as a man.  She would dress in a man's clothing, and even wear a false beard when she was on the throne.

When we discussed the story later, here's how our conversation went:

Me:  Remember, back then in Egypt, the only jobs women could have were. . . 

Matthew:  A priestess in the temple, or a dancer or - 

Me:  A mother and a wife.

Nathan (looking at me):  I think that's the best job of all.

I would have to agree, sweet boy.  It is the best job of all.  

Of course, I kind of get to be Queen, too - sometimes. . . in my little kingdom here :-).  

8 {Nathan's Birthday}

My not-so-little guy turned 8 yesterday!!!

First, a stroll down memory lane. . .

The sign that Dave and Matthew made.  It was hanging on the front door for when we came home from the hospital after Nathan's birth.  The black blobs are Matthew's contribution (he was 3.5 then).

I found this in a pile the other day while I was decluttering:  it is one of those print-outs you can get at Chuck E. Cheese for one token. 

Yup, Nathan and me.

He was 20 months at the time.  Sniff.  My baby.

Yesterday.  Strawberry cupcakes with homemade strawberry cream cheese frosting.

I love his dimples!  Oh, and the goose egg is from a pretty bad fall at the park on Labor Day afternoon.  We *almost* went to urgent care.  Thankfully, Dave has some connections - called 4 ER docs who all confirmed that Nathan was ok to head home (we did have to observe him, and also wake him up every hour or so a couple of times after he fell asleep that night).

What can I say about Nathan?  He is just the more loving, funny, fiery guy.  He loves his family, and has loved babies ever since he was practically a baby himself.  He defends those he loves, is fiercely loyal, and brings tears to my eyes sometimes with the touching sweet things he says.

We thank the Lord for you, Nene!  You are such a blessing to all of us :-).

The Big Catch Up Post

Sorry - we have just been so, so busy around here!  And not taking a lot of photos.  Which makes for less blogging!  But I will attempt to catch up a bit here.  

We have started our school year.  All of the kids are home this year, and they are not attending the Chinese school at all.  It was just taking too much time - even though they only went until lunch time.  By the time they came home and had lunch, it was hard to switch gears in order to complete all of the other subjects.  It has been soooo nice to have a change of pace.  No more rushing out the door with half eaten cereal and spilt milk all over the kitchen table in the mornings.  We are still easing into getting a good routine going, but I am optimistic.

"Roamschooling" at the car wash.  Doesn't Nathan look cute with the pencil behind his ear?

Yes, my little Aarbear is in kindergarten this year!  Yikes!  He is doing so well.  He is very apprehensive of learning new things.  In fact, when I told him we would learn to read this year, he started crying :-(.  I think it is hard for him having two older brothers who seem to be able to do so much more than him.  In actuality, he can hold his own with the "big boys," and he certainly has more experience than many kids his age dealing with older kids.

I love my new beach chair from Costco!  And so do Nathan, Aaron, Lily, and her babies.

We are studying ancient history this year.  We read together about the Egyptians and papyrus.  We decided to make paper out of paper pulp from scrap paper.  You can see everyone is getting into it - even Lil.

We put radish seeds in the purple paper so that the recipient of a letter written on it can plant the paper afterwards and have radishes!

Matthew's (top shelf) and Nathan's (second shelf) school books for this year.  That is not even all of them.

The daily report, dictated every day by Aaron.

Nathan doing a front kick.

Jumping front kick combination.

Woohoo - and Matt and Nene tested for purple belts!!!

They are high fiving their class mates after receiving their purple belts.

I am also going to list here the curriculum choices for the year, even though I know that this will be pretty boring for everyone who is not homeschooling.  This is for posterity, so bear with me :-).  Also, I am including (totally non-affiliated) links - just in case you want to check out what they are studying this year and where to find the materials.

Matthew (6th grade):
Math - Singapore Math 5B, 6A and hopefully we can get to 6B later in the year.
Sonlight Core G reading list
Social Studies - Story of the World Volumes 1 and 2, Kingfisher History Encyclopedia
Language Arts - Matt is participating in the Classical Conversations Essentials program which covers
     grammar, spelling, and uses the Institute for Excellence in Writing for writing.
Science - Matt is participating in the Virtual Homeschooling Group which will be using Apologia's Exploring Creation with General Science for the textbook.  By the way, this is an AMAZING resource if you have older kids (middle to high school).  It is completely free.
Mandarin Chinese - Rosetta Stone online

Nathan (2nd grade):
Math - Singapore Math 3B, and then I think we will do Teaching Textbooks 4
Social Studies - Story of the World Volumes 1 and 2
Language Arts - Rod and Staff 2 Phonics, Rod and Staff Spelling 2, Writing With Ease Level 2
Science - Studies Weekly and Hands-On Science Fun! Microscopic Explorations, Insects, and Light
Mandarin Chinese - Rosetta Stone online

Aaron (K):
Math - Houghton Mifflin California Math workbook, and then we will move to Singapore Earlybird
Reading - Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
Language Arts - Daily report (see above), lots of being read to, Rod and Staff Preschool Curriculum
Science - Studies Weekly and tagging along with Nathan with the science kit

Lily (toddler):
Be cute
Bother brothers
Get into everything
Hang on Mama's legs

I am also including this scripture memory system (which is ingenious by the way) with the kids (and myself) in addition to our usual morning devotion times.

Wow - if you made it through this far - thank you!

I am trying hard to be more critical of where to spend our time and energy and have more margin in our lives.  It seems like we are always rushing around, and I do NOT like that.

Singspiration Moment

Today at the kids' worship time at church, the kids were learning a new song. "The Lord is Good."

There's the part that goes like this:
He is fairer than the lily of the valley,
He is brighter than the morning star,
He is purer than the snow
Fresher than the breeze
Lovelier by far than all of these.

When the song leader asked, "Does anyone know what is a lily of the valley?"

One of the boys in class replied, "I know what a Lily of the Pengs is."

:-)

Lily was on my lap the whole time and was delighted to sing a song with her namesake in it. She smiled and looked at me every time they got to that part.

I actually googled what the lily of the valley looks like because I didn't actually know what the flower looks like.

In case you don't know either, you can see below the lily of the valley, and the Lily of the Pengs.

Too busy to blog

Hi all - we have been busy. We took a road trip up to the Pacific Northwest and attended West Coast Christian Conference at PLU. It was a very rich, encouraging and convicting time. I guess I still feel like I am catching up and recovering from that trek.

We have also had the Ku boys with us the last three days. Yes, we currently have 7 children in our home. Lots of fun and activity, but little time to blog .

Lily had also been sick this week with a fever for four days. We missed speech therapy and laid low for many days. She is much better now, and I am so grateful. Honestly, my nerves are shot. She has been soooo whiny and difficult - crying and throwing herself on the floor and dead weightenizing herself constantly. Actually, she is still not terribly happy even though her fever has broken. Pray for me? Just when you think you have some patience - I realize I really don't.

We have started our school year, and I will post more about that later.

Hope you are all well!

Love,
Chenning

Hearing Test and ENT

Good news!

Lily's ears are working fine! The fluid has resolved in its own in the right ear where her ear tube fell out in February. The tube in the left ear has extruded as
well, we found out today. The ENT physicians assistant that we see told us that she will see Lily in 3 months, and if all is well then - she will be released from her care :-).

Lily's hearing test went well. She scored normal/borderline normal on most items. Praise the Lord!!!

Man Shall Not Live By Bread (Donuts) Alone

This week we had a trip to Krispy Kreme.  All the kids had a blast picking out their donut, and watching the conveyor belt carry the donuts under the glaze waterfall and onto the racks to set.  Even though Lily undoubtedly never had a donut in China - she loves them!  Matthew loves them, too.  They are probably his most favorite treat.  Last year for his birthday, that was his request - and we actually found a mom and pop donut shop that makes a giant donut that can be served as a cake.  It was about 1 foot in diameter, and we put candles on it and served it up as his birthday cake when he turned 10.

We usually do our morning devotions together over breakfast, so we brought our stuff to Krispy Kreme to do it there.  You can see how Lily has scribbled all over  decorated our record of Bible readings.  We are going through the Psalms now - one a day.  We are also reading Egermeier's Bible Story Book.  Do you have any resources or routines you have used for devotions for family or kids?  Another one we absolutely LOVED and have gone through many, many, many times is The Jesus Storybook Bible.  It is wonderful!  I would love to know how you do family devotions.  Always looking for more inspiration!  We have done other things in the past, too, like Keys For Kids, Discovering Jesus in Genesis, Leading Little Ones to God, The Picture Bible, Read-n-Grow Picture Bible through the years.  

To keep it real, it is a struggle to get through our devotions most days.  Lest you think that my kids sit quietly while I read to them - a typical morning involves me corralling them back to the kitchen table (my kids love to eat and run, even when they are eating, they are only sitting on their chairs halfway), and then we are interrupted by Lily flipping the pages of the Bible or book to another place, or Aaron asking me if he can have another egg, and then finally by me giving them a lecture about how we should only interrupt if it is an emergency and defining what constitutes an emergency (blood or fire).  But we get through it - and they are improving.  Every time we have added a new baby though - things definitely are very hairy for a while.  Anyway, I would LOVE to hear any tips, resources, books, etc. that have worked for your family!  Have a blessed day :-).