Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut Reflections

Today was Yom Hazikaron in Israel, a day when we remember our fallen soldiers and the victims of terror.  Sirens wail, tears flow, there are thanks and speeches and memories and prayers.  I talked to the kids a little bit about the significance of all this.  I think for many Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut(Israel Independence Day) that follows right after,  is a time of reflection abot the past and about the future, about sacrifice, about love of Israel, about this amazing gift that G-d has given us.  As I am writing this, I can see the fireworks out of my window.  Tomorrow many people will be off, there will be barbeques and celebrations. But to me, it's about all the miracles that G-d has granted us and continues to grant us in this holy and beautiful land that is Israel.  Sure, it's great to once again have a country of our own after centuries of unrelenting longing, to have an army of our own, to have Jews from all walks of life and all parts of the world gathered here all together.  But our strength is not derived from political entities or military prowess.  Our strength comes from our spirit, from our dedication to our G-d and His Torah.  May it be His will that we merit His continued miraculous protection.  May there be no more tears, no more sorrow, no more aching hearts.  May we merit true peace which can only come from being true to one's G-d and to our Jewish identity as He envisions it.  May there be no more folly and foolishness.  May G-d continue to bless us in our endeavors and may we merit to contribute to building this special land in whichever capacity we are destined to, whether by learning Torah, serving in the army, in other professional capacities, by building Jewish families and educating the next generations to be proud Torah Jews, etc. There are many ways indeed, Yaakov (Jacob) had 12 sons, each one unique, so there are many ways to build this Land.  There is work to be done and with G-d's help we can do it and make it wonderful.  We have to be thankful for the past and hopeful for the future, give credit where credit is due and understand that all the sacrifice was not in vain and that we perpetuate the memory of those holy souls by living for what they died for.  G-d doesn't perform miracles for nothing (R' Moshe Feinstein) we have to push forward even when things are hard as G-d continues to gives us plenty to be happy about and be grateful for.

Flower Suncatcher Box -the results

Well, the contact paper roll got located, I had matzah boxes saved from Pesach just for such an eventuality and the garden was full of varied colorful flowers, grasses and other lovely plants.  So here are the results.  I love projects that are easy, quick and produce beautiful results that kids can appreciate.

Craft: A Flower Suncatcher box

Here is a beautiful and creative project from the Artful Parent which combines art and science, nature study. The kids really liked making those contact paper/tissue paper suncatchers so I think this should go over well.  So I better go find that roll of clear contact paper and the overgrown yard is full of colorful things we can use:) Yes, I think this has to be included in our plans for this week!  How exciting!

On my mind

We had another marathon of a day, at the end of which I had time to reflect on the general direction of our learning year.  I was pleasantly surprised  at how much everyone has grown, how much was learned, how much got done despite me constantly feeling behind and not on top of things.  Which once again just goes to show, that in an atmosphere that encourages learning children will have no choice but learn and with G-d's help even when things go wrong, so to say, they are going right.  We had lots of challenging situations this year and yet I am just amazed at what was accomplished in our short spurts of lessons and lots of by the way learning.  Step by step, drop by drop, moment by moment, it all coalesces  into this intricate tapestry of learning and growth and transformation.  For a parent who is constantly concerned whether we are doing enough this is very encouraging indeed.
Here are some other things I've been thinking about:
I've been looking for a good way to teach programming to children.  This is more for a few years down the line.  However, my soon to be nine year old has really tapped into his technological/mechanical side and this might be relevant.  As I've written before (another post topic coming on?), I feel strongly that computer related activities should not be a major part of a young child's life for many reasons.  But I also have been thinking that computers have to be presented as a tool which is not exclusively associated with internet use which would basically make it more like TV.  So programming is another way that computers can be used in a constructive way minus all the problems of internet addiction, etc.  There are lots of interesting ideas out there and even curriculum suggestions that address these concerns and the actual programming instruction like what languages to teach and how.  This could also be a good practical skill to acquire for a right kind of child.
I've been also rereading some of my homeschooling books to reinspire myself and pick up any suggestions that I might of  missed before or that are relevant now but weren't previously.  It's always nice when I do that.
We've been thinking about various nutritional choices that we've made in the past and rethinking what we as a family should do with everyone's evolving nutritional needs.  Dh has been learning a lot recently about the modern food production and processing and even though he as far away from a health nut as one could get, he's been inspired  to pursue healthier and more organic options, especially in the meat and chicken department.  I am all for.
Of course the various political goings on are enough to upset one's equanimity in a bad way.  I had half a thought to go on a rant for today's post but enough has been written on the subject without me and I really don't need to do anything else to raise my blood pressure:)  So I'll limit myself to saying that G-d fights our battles for us when we do His will and remain united.  Israel has been and will continue to be the homeland of the Jewish people and Jewish people alone, it will behoove the world to read their Bible and those that think that it is not so, can take it up with the Good L-rd.  Human beings by the virtue of being human have a choice to do good or evil,  the Torah tells us to choose good and to choose life and we, the Jewish people, particularly in the land of Israel, intend to do just that.  So the "international community" should keep their suicidal for Israel suggestions to themselves.  We have no intention to self-destruct.  During the last Holocaust, not so long ago, most of the world looked away or worse.  But there were individuals who had the courage to stand up to Evil.  I hope even now they'll stand up and choose Life and Goodness and Truth together with us.  I know that G-d is guiding our steps and we have nothing to fear.  So be strong and courageous, G-d is leading us as individuals and as a people to where we have to go.  Fasten your seatbelts!  We are living in interesting times. The world is shaking and it's better to be on the right side of history rather than go down in infamy. 
So this has been a short sampling of various things that are swirling around my busy mind.  Sorry kind of random and rambling.

Today

Today was the first day of Rosh Chodesh Iyar.  I usually give the kids some little treat in honor of the occasion or we try to make some extra special meal or do a project. The schedule is generally lighter on Rosh Chodesh for us.  So today, I was hoping to either make some homemade journals with them or do some vegetable fabric dying.  In the end I couldn't get the supplies I needed in the stores because everyone seemed to be out of the things that I needed.  So, instead, I thought I'd drop by the bookstore and pick up a set of encyclopedias I had my eye on for a while and saved some money for.  But in the end the encyclopedia turned out to be more expensive than I thought it was but they had another book sale.  So the encyclopedia will have to wait but I got some other books .  The almost nine year old is a voracious reader and he was long overdue for some new reading material.  So being that I couldn't buy what I came for, I had some extra money and the kids were asking for a Lego type set for a while so I bought one large one and some dolls for the girls.  I don't mind buying educational, openended and versatile toys now and then. So we didn't get to the projects I planned but the kids spent a lot of time building with the brick set.  I told them we'd make some pizza for Rosh Chodesh and they LOVE to bake and cook.  So we did that and threw in a chocolate chip cake into the bargain while we were baking anyway.  This part of today worked out well, thank G-d.  I aslo made a fruit salad for snack, which was much appreciated by the crew on a very hot day (we are having a heat wave.)Otherwise... The boys were reluctant to their regular scheduled lessons but in the end it got done and reasonably well.  Read some to the little ones.  Counted on the new abacus with the five year old.  Thought about lots of educational stuff and all the things I'd like to post but don't get to because someone always seems to be up or needing something.  Had some really irritable moments.  Tried to deal with various behavioral issues.  Watched my kids watch the neighbourhood children collecting firewood for the Lag B'Omer bonfires.  Noted the flags that are waving all around the neighbourhood in preparation for the Israel Independence day.  Had my usual conniptions about the general state of hypocrisy, lack of intellectual honesty, poor analytical skills and absence of standards in our age of journalism driven by pure political or other agendas. Tried to straighten up, feed everyone, get everyone off to bed while still holding on to some semblance of sanity.  Found some interesting links that I should post some time in the next decade.  Learned some useful things from other homeschooling family blogs.  Took stock of things that did go well today.  Brooded over the things that didn't.  Did some tentative planning for tomorrow. It's been a full day and I pray to have many more where I have the energy and wisdom and patience to make them full in a positive and transformative sense.  Chodesh Tov, a good and meaningful and healing moth to all!  A friend told me some time back that Iyar is an acronym for Ani Hashem Rofecha- I am G-d Your Healer!  I could certainly use some healing in many areas of my life and so does the world!  Have a good one!

The Don't Quit Poem

Here is a really wonderful poem by an unknown author, which has just the right message for the days when things don't go quite as one would have liked.  It's also good poetry and my dh remarked, that it is just the kind of a poem that children were made to memorize many moons ago when memorization and elocution were an important part of education.  I think every home educating parent has to keep this one handy:) Enjoy!


hen things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit --
Rest if you must, but don't quit.

ife is strange with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow --
You may succeed with another blow.

ften the goal is nearer than
It seems to a fair and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

uccess is failure turned inside out --
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit, --
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

-- Author Unknown --

The goings on

We are still in our post-Pesach recovery period.  The kids have been somewhat discombobulated and quite wild at times.  But just today as I was feeling somewhat discouraged, we had a very good learning day, thank G-d.  We are continuing with the Math Mammoth and the Beautiful Italics Handwriting for Children.  The big boys are doing well with both.  They are still busy with their electronic kits, especially the almost nine year old.  We've also attempted some experiments with a solar battery toy and a kit, with limited success,but I think the kids got the general idea and living in Israel they are very familiar with the use of solar power to heat water, etc.  I've done some abacus activities with the almost five year old and the three year old usually get involvled with all of her sister's activities as well.  I am hoping to do more with them in the coming weeks.  In general there was a whole lot of tinkering around by the kids, lot of outdoor and free play. They are talking of making a clubhouse.  We've enjoyed repeating some of the exciting science experiments we've tried in the past.  We used binoculars to observe our environment, much to everyone's enjoyment.  I am glad I got good quality binoculars for them.  They really enjoyed watching someone fly a remote controlled model airplane next to our house.  We've watched various agricultural activities in the neighbouring fields. We saw a fire being put out.  I am trying to keep things very basic for now but it looks like a lot has been happening as is, educationally.  I am hoping to fit some projects in when things calm down.   There has been a request for more geographical activities so hopefully I'll find a way to accommodate that.  The baby is learning to stand and walk and is very sweet and the kids all love him.  But he requires a lot of my attention most of the time which often limits my availability for other things.  I am noticing though that the older children are taking more initiative and coming up with their own ideas and plans which gives me more space and limits the need for my constant participation and involvement.  I am contemplating music lessons for them.  We have had some very good discussions and I've been gratified to hear some good discussions among themselves. We had some good read alouds, and spend lots of time with our overseas relatives. Their uncle is a fantastic storyteller and his original offerings were both instructive and highly enjoyable for the kids.   They are a very active and jolly bunch,  very intense and articulate and requiring a lot of input and attention from their parents. There are many things to work on and many areas to explore and strengthen but for now, I think things are good as they are, not perfect by far but certainly good.  Education is really a lifelong process, one can't always pack it all into a particular moment.  Slowly things take a form on its own but patience is required to see how it all plays out in the long term.  It's important though to enjoy and appreciate the process itself, all the small victories, the many separate moments of learning and inspiration.  It's important to stop sometimes and appreciate that regardles of how far one still has to go, that one has already come quite far, often much further than one expected.  Thank G-d.  Onwards we press on.