Hints and Allegations: The Making of a Home

A snapshot of any given moment in our household these days, though for being in her highchair, Selah is surprisingly NOT coated in yogurt and/or strawberry jam.

(As an aside, I think my mind makes this face on a daily basis.)

(And this one, too.)

BeeTree busy season is winding down, and I am finding that my personality is quite well-suited to a seasonal business. I will continue to take photographs for myself as well as clients throughout the autumn and winter months, God-willing, but Michigan's temperate climate dictates that an on-location photographer get her shoots in while the weather is sweet and warm and cooperative- so November through April is sketchy at best. (There are, however, a few mamas-to-be whom I expect to be hearing from with gladsome tidings in the coming weeks and months... oo oo oo! What an honor to wait in anticipation along with them!)

Really, the turning of the season in my business comes at a good time for lots of reasons. As previously mentioned, we are homeschooling Eden this year. She is an eager learner and wouldn't let me get away with "un-schooling" even if it were aligned with my philosophies. As you'd probably imagine, writing even basic kindergarten lesson plans requires a new level of insight, research, organization and TIME. However, I couldn't be more pleased and confirmed in the way things are going.

This is Eden's work area in the den, which has become the hub of our "school" activities.

The "Today is" board and the mat on the desk are laminated for stability and dry-erase marker use, and thanks to Kinko's, I have a lamination addiction.

I love that Eden can take a break from her work to indulge Selah's need to hug.

Mostly, school has become just an extension of our everyday home life. It feels real and right and natural, and while I would never rule out a traditional classroom for my kids, for this child, in this place, at this time, it's been made abundantly clear that home is the place to be.