Over the past week or two, I've spent a lot of time parenting and gardening - and often at the same time. Elisabeth and I have been doing homeschool outside in the garden every morning (that it hasn't rained). She waters the plants, and I pluck the weeds. And, of course, we read, talk and write together.
It strikes me that that there is a parallel between parenting and gardening in concerted cultivation. If I want the garden to thrive (and not the weeds), I need to be diligent about watering and weeding. When I do those two things, I can enjoy the beauty of the garden. Likewise in parenting, I need to be diligent in nurturing and correcting. When I do those two things, I enjoy the beauty of right relationship. If I fail to nurture, Elisabeth will wilt like a flower without water; if I nurture without correcting, she'll grow, but her character will be laced with weeds. If I correct without nurture, I may get rid of the weeds, but her character won't blossom.
We're off to the garden again this morning . . .
Adventures in Parenting
Viewing entries for May, 2009 View: All | Photos | Stories | Statuses | Videos | Milestones
Status Update — May 30, 2009
Katherine digs hanging out with cousin Anna
Status Update — May 30, 2009
Elisabeth saw both of her new cousins, two uncles, two aunts, and three grandparents - all in one day!
Status Update — May 29, 2009
Katherine met her cousin Anna today!
Status Update — May 28, 2009
Katherine loves to giggle
Status Update — May 28, 2009
Elisabeth is counting the hours until all the Grandparents and Aunts & Uncles arrive!
Status Update — May 26, 2009
Katherine is three months old today!
Status Update — May 25, 2009
Katherine just went for her first (of many) jaunts around Central Park in the running stroller
Status Update — May 25, 2009
Katherine has gone to bed at 8 (and slept!) for the past two nights
Status Update — May 25, 2009
Elisabeth is reading Grandma's Attic with Mommy
Status Update — May 22, 2009
Katherine 's mohawk gets higher and cheeks get bigger everyday
Text to World connection
May 21, 2009
by Graham // 2 comments // tagged with: Elisabeth, home schooling
When I taught early elementary grades, I encouraged my students to make different kinds of connections:
When we opened up the Bible this evening to read, we found ourselves reading Daniel 2, where Daniel interacted with the same king who commissioned the lions.
- Self-to-text: when they identified with something in a story.
- Text-to-world: when then related literature to the real world.
- Text-to-text: when they saw a relationship between two pieces of text.
When we opened up the Bible this evening to read, we found ourselves reading Daniel 2, where Daniel interacted with the same king who commissioned the lions.
Status Update — May 20, 2009
Elisabeth is enrolled in a biligual school for next year!
Status Update — May 13, 2009
Katherine is our little Houdini in freeing herself from the swaddle blanket
Status Update — May 9, 2009
Katherine slept from about 10pm to 5:45 this morning!
Status Update — May 9, 2009
Elisabeth started ballet and swimming this week
Status Update — May 7, 2009
Katherine has returned to her sleeping self
Status Update — May 7, 2009
Elisabeth is back in the saddle
Status Update — May 2, 2009
Elisabeth took a HUGE spill off her bicycle this morning and has an impressive bump on her forehead
Status Update — May 1, 2009
Katherine weighed 11 lbs, 4.5 oz at her check-up on Thursday
Status Update — May 1, 2009
Elisabeth is convinced that she doesn't sleep at night
Our Family
Katherine grabbed a steak knife off the table and wandered the living room chewing on the handle
18 months
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Our Wall
Becca: I hear she is a good eater AND sleeper! I am so happy for you and hope that it lasts a LONG time :)
- March 13, 2009 03:06PM
Jennifer: Congratulations Scharfs! Love to Mommy, Daddy, and the :) sisters!
- February 27, 2009 02:41PM
Jessy Palamattam: Congratulations on baby Katherine! She looks like she's doing great. Elisabeth seems like she's taking to the role of big sister really well. Can't wait to see all of you again!
- February 27, 2009 02:12PM
Celeste: So happy to see Katherine Mae. It's a beautiful name for a beautiful little girl!
- February 27, 2009 11:53AM
Robin: Congratulations! You are blessed!
- February 26, 2009 07:19PM
jon: Also excited for the changes we're pushing to Tumblon this week.
- February 12, 2009 05:05PM
jon: Great to see you guys the other week. I look forward to doing it again.
- February 12, 2009 05:02PM
Graham: I'm not sure she's strong enough. :) It sounds like you've had more than enough!
- January 31, 2009 03:14PM
Mark A. Rett: Could Elizabeth come out and help shovel snow out in Michigan? She seems to be good at it.
- January 29, 2009 06:32PM
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Andrew Dahl: Can't wait to see you guys again in just over a week..
- July 29, 2010 12:34AM