Memorial Day

Trinity Baptist Church did something fun and new for Memorial Day and held a huge picnic at a local park and invited sister churches and the Boy Scouts and families from Troop 777. The day began with the annual Trinity A v. Trinity B softball game. Meanwhile, the Boy Scouts of Troop 777 marched in the Pequannock Parade, family and friends cheering them on, while they sung "Onward, Christian Soldiers."
The Boy Scouts and their families then made their way over to the picnic grounds to meet up with the sweaty softball players for a lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers, and plenty of amazing salads. After the meal, the Boy Scouts performed a flag ceremony and one of the scouts played taps, while we all meditated upon the lives that had been spent for the freedom we now enjoy in America. Next, Pastor Daddy gave a devotional about how true freedom comes from life in Christ.
Although the planned activities of the day ended at 4pm, people continued to enjoy fellowship and play volleyball until almost 7. Sheryl and Andrew built up arm muscles pushing kids on a mini merry-go-round, Julie tried to kill herself and everyone else practicing her volleyball skills, and Mom and Dad did what Carlsons do really well - talk and talk! The Carlsons thoroughly appreciated the day of relaxation before the final sprint to the end of school year.

Co-op Presentation Night

On April 28th, CALVARY co-op had it's fifth annual Presentation Night. The Carlsons were highly involved, particularly since Sheryl, along with Bethany Seiter, was the main organizer. After weeks of much planning, the evening was an amazing success. All the families stayed after co-op for a pizza dinner and practice. Then at 7 pm, we all gathered into the auditorium for the main event! Over 16 classes from the adorable Pre-K and Kindergarteners to the High school Seniors gave presentations. Andrew's Science class made a dramatic entry and then shared several things that they had learned. Following the more studious presentation, his speech class acted out and recited "The Jaberwockey." (Below is the tum tum tree.)


Sheryl's classes were also well represented. For Formal Logic, the students dressed formally and in polished British accents discussed

logical and not so logical subjects!
Then, as the highlight of the evening, the Spanish I and Spanish II classes joined and regaled the audience with The Wizard of Oz in Spanish. Sheryl played Miss Gulch and then the Evil Witch of the West. (Below are pictures of her trying to steal Dorothy's dog, and
another one of her escaping after a heated encounter with Glinda.)
As a last minute addition to the program, Julie's Rhetoric class pulled together a dramatic interpretation of the "Saint Crispian's Day Speech" from Henry V by William Shakespeare. The Seniors then ended the progam with their "Twelve Weeks of Co-op" (see a previous blog entry) and a more poignant attempt at "The Irish Blessing."
The enjoyable evening concluded in dessert and fellowship - and as Mama Carlson always says, "Fun was had by all!"

Picture Gallary

Since pictures speak louder than words, we'll update you on the Carlson's whereabouts via photos this time. To back up a couple of months . . .
To the right is a picture of Julie just before a Victorian teaparty/sleepover. Sheryl had lots of fun dressing her up and doing her hair.
Another girly activity: Sheryl and Julie are part of a girls' book discussion group. The most recent book which was discussed was Old Fashioned Girl. Presently they're reading Wind in the Willows.
Andrew is determined not to be out done by his sisters in the dress-up,
but believe us, he really does know how to be the epitome of a boy!

















On the school front, co-op ended on May 12th (the picture of Sheryl is from the last day of co-op. Everyone ate lunch outside), and since then we've been busy trying to finish all of our other subjects. The target date to finish school is June 12th, one month after co-op! With that date approaching, the students of the Carlson Christian Academy are keeping very busy.
In preparation for the next school year, Karen and Bart attended the Pennsylvania Homeschooling Convention, and had a wonderful time on their annual get-away. Julie was also at the convention, but not as their sidekick - She's helped at two homeschooling conventions this month, selling Logic and Latin curriculum for Classical Legacy Press. Having just learned all about verbal persuasion in Rhetoric, she had a great time putting her new found skills to use!

Carlson Update

The Carlsons have been very busy, but the prediction is that it's about to get better! Of course, better is relative. This coming couple of weeks will include the end of co-op push, and then we'll have Julie's graduation as the next hurdle. But right now, we're feeling like we've biked to the top of the hill and just have to bike down the other side.

What have the past weeks held? Daddy has been busy with his various responsibilities as a pastor as well as juggling family activities. Last Sunday, he preached two excellent sermons. The first was on the verse "Jesus Wept" and the second on Psalm 134 about enjoying the worship of God.

Co-op responsibilities for Mommy have been lots of work, since she and the other ladies on leadership had prospective new members to interview and evaluate. On top of that, her A&P Biology class at co-op yesterday just performed the pinnacle experiment of dissecting a fetal pig. Many hours of preparation on their diligent teacher's part preceded this fun class. (Of course, it was fun until two of the boys started gouging out the eyes. Then it turned rather interesting!) In addition, Mommy has started her first First Aid Merit Badge classes for Boy Scout Troop 777. She has six boys, who prefer talking over treating a wound, so I suggest never getting hurt around them.

School has occupied much of the kids time, although they did enjoy spring break last week. Julie is ramping up for a ten page paper on whether the United States should be in the United Nations, Sheryl's trying to keep on top of a hefty biology load, and Andrew is hoping to finish history before August! Besides school, Julie works an afternoon a week, has two piano students, and is loving her last year of choir. She plans to attend Seton Hall University in the fall. Sheryl is also in choir, and has two violin students. Violin occupies much of her time, because she's also been part of an amazing North Jersey Youth Orchestra this school year. Andrew spends his spare time on boy scouts, and just won the patrol election to become Patrol Leader (every troop is divided into several patrols). Last Saturday, he worked at a boy scout camp with others from his patrol, building a path as well as cleaning up garbage.

This coming weekend, our church is having their annual ladies' retreat, and for the first time all three Carlson ladies will be attending! Pastor Daddy gets a break from preaching this Sunday since Pastor Lush will be ministering the Word in conjunction with the ladies' retreat.

That's all to chronicle for now. Goodbye.

Thoughts from Narnia

Recently, we, Carlsons, visited the Franklin Institute to see the Narnia exhibit that was shown there. It was a really enjoyable family day, and the exhibit was great. I was struck by the amount of detail put into the props for the Narnia movies - particularly Prince Caspian. Lord Glozzelle's chair from the throne room was carved front and back; Miraz's shield had the entire story of Old Narnia etched into the rim; Pruniprismia's dress had lovely lace and embroidery. Further, specifics from the books had been preserved to the minute detail. We were able to see the book "Is Man a Myth?" from Tumnus' living room; Mrs. Beaver really did have sewing machine on set; Edmund's flashlight and Peter's pocketknife were all there just as the book had described. This was exactly what the movies are - Precision without accuracy. Lucy eats an apple in the ruins of Cair Parvel, and Tarvar and Alambial salute in high heaven, coming so close that it looks like they're about to collide. Even the Bulgy bear sucks his paw during the dual. But something was missing. Where was Aslan?

I don't mean to unduly pick on the Narnia movies, because they are very enjoyable. However, they made me think, and I realized that it isn't just in the Narnia movies that this happens. Our lives can sometimes be just that - precise but not accurate. We keep all of God's commands. We spend time reading our bible and praying. Every church activity is faithfully attended. But something is missing. Where is love for Jesus? Why are we keeping all His commands? Is is just because we would feel empty otherwise? I certainly was convicted in my own heart that I often keep all the rules with no desire to glorify God. I do my school and chores without any thought of the Savior who commands us to glorify Him in everything. Indeed, we must not remember the details while loosing the big picture. Oh, we must keep His commandments, but for the right reasons. "The greatest commandment is this that you love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." and "whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Let each of us be Christians characterized by having the heart of the matter in us, and then, including all the details.

Twelve Weeks of Co-op

Here is a video of the CALVARY Co-op Seniors performing their rendition of the Twelve Weeks of Co-op. For years, it's been a tradition for leadership to sing a mom's version of this song, but this year the seniors were enlisted to revise and refresh this tradition from a student's point of view. This is how they did it.

Poetry Out Loud

These are selections from the North Jersey Homeschoolers' Poetry Out Loud competition. Julie performed "Lift Every Voice and Sing" by James Johnson, and got second place, while Jacob Roberts, the first-place winner, recited "The Man Moth" by Elizabeth Bishop.