Psalm 133:1 ...Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
for brethren [sisters!] to dwell together in unity!
(I love finding exclamation points in the Bible.)
for brethren [sisters!] to dwell together in unity!
(I love finding exclamation points in the Bible.)
This post is proof that just living life is actually "school". 
About two weeks ago my kids got this bright idea. No, actually the idea came a long time ago and it has morphed into various forms over the months gone by. But we finally settled on a plan about two weeks ago. Alison, Amy, Elisabeth, and Emily decided they ALL wanted to be roommates. We got no school done that day, but some of them did learn to use a screwdriver, and how to maneuver an assembled bed around two corners without taking out the bedroom doors or putting a hole in the wall. Spacial relationships, right? Math.
Well, here is the result:
About two weeks ago my kids got this bright idea. No, actually the idea came a long time ago and it has morphed into various forms over the months gone by. But we finally settled on a plan about two weeks ago. Alison, Amy, Elisabeth, and Emily decided they ALL wanted to be roommates. We got no school done that day, but some of them did learn to use a screwdriver, and how to maneuver an assembled bed around two corners without taking out the bedroom doors or putting a hole in the wall. Spacial relationships, right? Math.
Well, here is the result:
There is about 3' of space between the beds (wonderful for acrobatic leaps from one side of the room to the other), and space for nothing else except for this bulletin board, which has been a fine testimony of how things are going for four girls living in close(r) proximity to each other than they have before this.
The notes say such niceties as:
Free bed-making today! ~ Emily
Free desk-cleaning. When it's done it will look as nice as mine, and I promise I won't throw anything away without permission. ~Amy
To whoever made my bed today, thank you! ~Betsy
Yes, thank you! ~Amy
Amy, you are a wonderfull sister i am so sorry aboat binging such a mean sister I will try to be nicer
I wil tell you nice things about you.
1 you are a nice joyful
2 sister
3 if somwon does sumething bad about you, you don't make a fuss about it.
Dear ______________, I'm sorry I did ________________.
Love, ________________
Dear _______________, I forgive you.
Love, ___________
And other evidence that, indeed, it is pleasant when sisters dwell together in unity.
Life school subjects: Interpersonal Communication, Social Studies, English Grammar, Spelling
Someone told us recently that the best child-training advice they ever got was to put as many kids as possible into one room. And, after two week of this, I think I agree! The girls are doing more together, getting along better (most of the time), and being a blessing to each other and their parents.
"So," you ask, "What are you doing with the empty bedroom?" Well, the girls turned it into their closet, music room, Bible-reading room, and place to be "alone" (in a house of six? ha!).
School subjects: Sorting (clothes -- early math), Music, Reading, and I'm sure you can think of some others!
The notes say such niceties as:
Free bed-making today! ~ Emily
Free desk-cleaning. When it's done it will look as nice as mine, and I promise I won't throw anything away without permission. ~Amy
To whoever made my bed today, thank you! ~Betsy
Yes, thank you! ~Amy
Amy, you are a wonderfull sister i am so sorry aboat binging such a mean sister I will try to be nicer
I wil tell you nice things about you.
1 you are a nice joyful
2 sister
3 if somwon does sumething bad about you, you don't make a fuss about it.
Dear ______________, I'm sorry I did ________________.
Love, ________________
Dear _______________, I forgive you.
Love, ___________
And other evidence that, indeed, it is pleasant when sisters dwell together in unity.
Life school subjects: Interpersonal Communication, Social Studies, English Grammar, Spelling
Someone told us recently that the best child-training advice they ever got was to put as many kids as possible into one room. And, after two week of this, I think I agree! The girls are doing more together, getting along better (most of the time), and being a blessing to each other and their parents.
"So," you ask, "What are you doing with the empty bedroom?" Well, the girls turned it into their closet, music room, Bible-reading room, and place to be "alone" (in a house of six? ha!).
School subjects: Sorting (clothes -- early math), Music, Reading, and I'm sure you can think of some others!
It's a great arrangement! Life learning. I love it. 
Seems like a good idea! Though the oldest of seven, I have my own room. It can be nice, as I'm an aspiring writer, but I find myself constantly coming downstairs to write so I can actually concentrate!!! It gets too quiet upstairs!!!
ReplyDeleteI love the fact your girls want to spend time together. When I was still doing school, my sisters and I spent a lot of time together... now we find more creative ways to connect: reading a book together, taking walks, etc...
May God bless and keep you all!
WarriorMaiden
How wonderful. This would be a wonderful set up!
ReplyDeleteMelissa
Ahhh, thanks for the pictures...who would have every thunk it would turn out this good. Being an only child, I can't relate. They have more room between beds than what I imagined - it looks like a good set-up. Glad everyone is happy.
ReplyDeleteI love the notes on the bulletin board! How sweet :)
ReplyDeletePajama party sleepovers with best friends, every night!!!! I do not promote 'me time', not that I force us to all be together all the time, it just happens that way somehow.
ReplyDeleteWe had a full house for nearly 2 weeks with a family of 6 stranded because of the volcanic ash cloud and it was amazing how we all fitted AND shared our one bathroom (one at a time, don't worry ;) )
Hi Sally, I intended to leave a comment last week when you posted this, but I found myself sick for a few days, alas. This post was so encouraging to me. I think dwelling together is awesome. And more importantly, I love the notes they have come up with. Once in awhile we mother's are gifted to see some beautiful fruit in the lives of our children!!! Praise the Lord. On another note, I am sorry you've lost your beautiful blog. I don't have tinker time to devote to mine this week, but, I am looking forward to rebuilding here. God bless you...Jenn
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful. The first thing our kids said when they saw this room is, "You can see the different personalities in each of the beds--the stuffed animals on top, etc. Neat. My oldest is saying, "They actually CHOSE to be together when they have other options?" Work to do in this house regarding togetherness and consideration of others, obviously. Anyway, I love the bulletin boards, and it's so wonderful to see the kids loving on one another in this way.
ReplyDeleteAs I adjust to this new blog format, I was attempting to send a comment to a friend and just see how this works out. I guess by summer's end I'll finally figure out how to navigate Wordpress. Interestingly enough, I have another Wordpress blog, but have never sat down to fiddle with details.
Well, I'd better run. Enjoy the ocean.
Belinda, some experimentation going on here. Will this reply show up on my own blog, or on your activity page? I am in a labyrinth! In your own explorations have you found out where the font controls are?
ReplyDeleteMy enjoyment of the ocean is entirely vicarious. I grew up on the west coast, and I still love and miss the water! An ocean photo on my header is as close as I can get right now, and, as our desert is finally beginning to heat up, I almost don't mind the disappearance of my background photo.
Oh, and we still have quite a bit of work to do on consideration of others, don't worry. :)
Thanks for coming by. I have a love/hate relationship with the computer and I hope to do better about keeping in touch. Maybe when school's done here?
How nice. I love it when kids get along. HSB looks so different! Anyway... this really encourages me because there is a chance we may have to move for Hub's job, and likely, downsize. Like... a lot! I miss you. One day we will get together and eat chocolate chip cookies.
ReplyDelete