Another Yap session

I am kind of mad at myself for starting a blog in 2023 (and in 2015) and not following through with it in any way, shape, or form. Because I really would love to have the documentation of looking back at our lives and how far we've come. I would love to have written or journaled about our little years and I know life will get busy as I attempt to jot down a few bits and pieces of the first formal school year we've shared together.

I will start by saying... it felt like an extension of our everyday. I think that may be the gift of knowing somewhat the path I wanted to take before we actually stepped onto the trail so to speak. I had read a few of Charlotte Mason's volumes, companion books, educational inspirational book and beyond. I had binged countless Commonplace podcasts and listened to the encouragement of Sally Clarkson and mentors before me about the importance of reading. I had in my back pocket "but I taught first grade, I can do this!!"

I don't think I was prepared for the work God was going to do in my heart with the combination of Good Books, making education a way of life, and adding in another baby to the household. I didn't know how deeply C.S. Lewis would pierce my heart and encourage and convict me in the best of ways. I didn't know how much I needed our daily scripture because I thought I was doing it all before, but in combination with it all, I couldn't have asked for a better school year.

The amount of times I say the phrase "I don't think my children realize we are doing school..." I have lost count. But isn't that the goal? Isn't presenting before our children a rich feast of ideas to enjoy together and making those habits of humble learning what we want most? I think for our household, it is. I think appreciating nature for the sake of being awestruck is something I hope my littles continue to value. I hope telling others (please read this as narrating entire chapters at a time to my husband) about stories we have read during the day and having our own little book club, poetry tea time, and baking together all end up as fond memories for my children as they have for me.

My house may consistently stay a wreck, but our hearts I hope are full. Mine sure is. And I say all of this as a preface before I start to chat more in depth about The Children's Tradition because I look back and by the grace of God I could have spun this year out of control with life and babies and working part time balance, but it was peaceful. More than I can even express. Not all seasons will be, I know that. Not all seasons have been for us, but this one was and for that I am grateful.

Alright, alright, I promise to get more into the nitty-gritty FOR REAL this time... next time!

XO McKenzie