Organic Learning

Life just rumbles on in the Bennett family. Poppy has passed on, Heidi has been born, Poppy has been farewelled in a home-town funeral where the comment in the Eulogy that 'you cannot chose where you were born but you can choose where you die' certainly rang true.

Since then, life has rumbled on in a somewhat automated manner in our house. I am not sure whether that's a sign of potential post-partum fallout to come or just some stored up grief but I am sure time will tell. It has been one heck of a start to the year, for sure, when you add in broken limbs and drug overdoses. Yes, can you believe that one sixth of the year has already passed?

In the mean time this evening I find myself wishing my brain didn't feel so much like the gooey fudge that one can buy in Kangaroo Valley (NSW) because I know inside me I have a very strong opinion and multiple trains of thought when it comes to our proposed National Curriculum and the simple lack of appropriate training for our future school teachers.

Please someone flag me to write about this when I am more myself and less overtired, sleep disturbed mummy!

Anyway, for those who may be curious here are a few highlights that I have looked at today:

Oh, what a joyful week that past last week. Along with spending so much time around water in the form of lakes, rivers, rock pools, waterfalls and the beach we have been wash with The Word too. Yes, we have spent the week at Capernwray Bible School for their Refresh 2010 conference with the theme: 'How is your soul? - Reflections from the Psalms'.

Yep, it was going to happen eventually. It was just a matter of time and method and no it was not Mr White in the Library with the Candle Stick...

..no, he really made his big break in spectacular form fracturing his radius and ulna just centimetres from his wrist.

'How did he do it' I hear you ask?

Whilst in Canberra I could not pass up the opportunity to see 'Masterpieces from Paris' an exhibition of 112 post-impressionist art pieces that will knock your socks off.

So, whilst in Canberra we thought we'd throw down the gauntlet with an unfamiliar indoor rock climbing wall. With William to young and me too pregnant to belay, leaving Michael out also we threw the challenge to Karl and Peter. Both did their best and we couldn't be prouder of each of them.

Karl is not certain with heights. He has a healthy fear and has not yet learned how to trust the rope or the person controlling them. He strived for his best and achieved it.

Just a place-marker to say that we were in Canberra from 2-9 January 2010. More about that later as it is late now. Lest to say we had a great, relaxing time!

Often it is hard to find time in the busy nature of life to find special moments. For me moments like those with my boys are particularly rare as they are often busy with 'doing stuff'. Like spending New Years Day making space shuttles:

Today I stumbled across a web site which has suggestions for how kids can make money. I have never been so scared to share a web site with my children before. Across a number of articles there are several suggestions that a great idea for kids to make money is for them to take unwanted or unused toys and sell them on eBay.

Just a piece of simple inspiration that crossed me a few months ago:

Susan S. Macaulay writes in 'For the Children's Sake' (1984, pg 19)

Get a few really good books, and read them together aloud. Set aside a good regular chunk of time. This will be one of the most rewarding and stimulating relationships in your life. Guess what? If you have the courage to be honest, that youngster's comments and questions are really going to make you think hard. You can throw away all the manuals. That child has an awful lot to teach you. Your mind is probably in a worse state than his. After reading together, go to a really nice place outside for a couple of hours at least. Don't rush. Turn a rock over and watch the beetles run away. Throw rocks in the stream and slide down a hill.

Talk together. You'll find yourself enjoying it!

Relax.

It isn't all hard as the experts make out.

Susan has it right you know! Simply exposing your children to books will grow a love for them in their hearts so you don't feel you have to push but rather you can be guided by your child's natural curiosity and be blessed by what they open your eyes to!

Our five bookshelves are overflowing again and it is clear that I again need to do some clearing out. I have decided this time around to list my books on Fishpond for sale.