January Part 1 - California

A normal month in the life of a Hagelberg is usually mostly routine with some highlights. This month however has been a whirlwind of activity. It also seems to make up two different worlds. We spent the first half of the month continuing to live in California during our transition time and then left for Thailand on the 15th. Here are some memorable parts of our time in California.

We celebrated my mom's birthday with the entire family at California Pizza Kitchen.

My parent's treated us to a visit to Knott's Berry Farm for Christmas. The boys had a great time. They love roller-coasters and fast rides!

We also got another quick trip or two to the beach. We won't be going to any beaches for a while (although Thailand is famous for them).

And of course, there was packing... and more packing... and purging... and repacking. A whole new world awaits.

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Little Disciples

As I've been learning more about Charlotte Mason and her methods, I've been thinking especially about what she means by "Education is a Discipline." As I was reading her thoughts on discipline from her Homeschooling series, I was particularly struck by the following quotation. Discipline is not Punishment ––What is discipline? Look at the word; there is no hint of punishment in it. A disciple is a follower, and discipline is the state of the follower; the learner, imitator. Mothers and fathers do not well to forget that their children are, by the very order of Nature, their disciples... How Disciples are Lured ––He who would draw disciples does not trust to force; but to these three things–– to the attraction of his doctrine, to the persuasion of his presentation, to the enthusiasm of his disciples ; so the parent has teachings of the perfect life which he knows how to present continually with winning force until the children are quickened with such zeal for virtue...

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Cultivating Childhood

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