Stephanie Sheaffer

writing for good

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a house with a name

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We moved in late July to a house with a front porch and a mountain view.

backyard view

Every single morning – and that’s not hyperbole – I look north and am overcome with gratitude.

If you’ve ever lived in a house that is a HOME, you know this feeling. It’s as if we were meant for this house and it was meant for us.

We have a library, for goodness’ sake.

We have a garden and a skylight, a fireplace and a back porch well-suited for dinner parties. Even the brass lamp that was left here by mistake matches up with my soul.

I’m not sure what God has in mind for this house, but I’ll be the first to tell you – this is no ordinary house. There is magic and mystery here. I feel it already as I mop the creamy speckled tile and read aloud chapter books on our billowy leather couch. I sense it as the girls whirl around on the tree-hung tire swing and dance in tutus across our hand-brushed wooden floors. I know it when we gather around our six-person table with piping hot homemade cheese pizza on our plates.

This is a house deserving of a name. I’ve already decided that. It just hasn’t come to me yet. Your recommendations, as always, are welcome.

The Picture Book Curriculum

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Now that we are homeschooling, people ask us what curriculum we are using.

The true answer is: picture books. Oh, the history, the science, the mathematics, and the vocabulary we learn from picture books! With poetry and illustrious illustrations, we learn about Albert Einstein and Wilma Rudloph, the Holocaust and homesteading, leukemia and loneliness, phonics and France.

The girls say “Ciao!” for hello. They point out fungi on a family hike. They ask if they can put out their shoes on St. Nick’s Day. They use words like “ridiculous” and “impressive” and “fortunately.” All from picture books.

Never underestimate the power of children’s books to teach the basic necessities of education and of the heart. If I had to choose between my curriculum and my library card, I would choose the latter.

Family-Reading

P.S. We’re also supplementing with the My Father’s World 1st Grade curriculum.

Let’s talk about libraries, shall we?

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This afternoon, we skipped through the revolving door of the Gail Borden Public Library in a suburb near Chicago. The girls and I are enamored by libraries – and our eyes sparkled in this one.

The entrance was grandly themed like the renaissance with costumes to try on, an old-time kitchen with pretend food, a blacksmith shop, and more. A child’s imagination is bound to come alive in such a place.

 

The children’s area was equally entrancing with visual book displays aplenty, a play area, a puppet theater, and a free craft area. In addition to books, the library offers toys, games, and dozens of puppets for check-out.

  

There was also a section specifically for Job Hunting, a cozy fireside reading room for adults, glass-encased study carrels, an ultra-cool teen zone, and an on-site cafe. Truly a reader’s paradise!

AND the library hosts picnics on their lawn! Families bring their own dinners. The library provides beverages, dessert, and entertainment. Superb!

It was pretty close to being perfect. My dream library, however, also has (1) a slide to enter the kids’ area, (2) a costumed staff – dressed as storybook characters!, (3) a multilingual area for kids – with second language classes!, and (4) Kindle books for check-out.

What is the best library you have ever been to? What programs does your neighborhood library offer? What would your DREAM library be like?

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