man-eating sharks

Sarah asks, "What do man-eating sharks eat when there are no men in the ocean?"

Homeschooling and Schoolschooling

I know there is a segment of the homeschooling community who thinks that everyone should homeschool or they are sinning. I'm not with them. But even before our first official day of homeschooling our two oldest, we have noticed the remarkable difference that having a homeschooling mentality can have.

I would like to say that we have always been active in teaching our kids, and in some ways I know we have been. But we are looking for opportunities to teach our kids more and more every day, so much so that we feel like we have almost been inactive to this point!

For example, yesterday the kids found a cicada that was getting ready to come out of its shell. They put it in a bug catcher cup and spent the whole day checking up on it. First they saw it come out of the shell, then the wings spread out to dry, and that night they opened the cup and set it on the front porch to live on. What a lesson. 1. Watching it showed the amazing, intricate and beautiful creature that God had made. 2. Watching taught the kids how to care for God's creatures while being in awe of the God that made it.

Even if you "schoolschool" your kids, everyone is required by God to "homeschool" in a number of ways. Be active in your official or unofficial homeschooling. Watch God's creation. Enjoy the beauty and intricacy, and model that joy to your kids. If you have the kids and don't have the time, you are probably doing something God doesn't want you to do. Believe me, that convicts us as much as we hope it convicts you. :)

Family Pictures

Though I will still from time to time post pictures on Sunshine Lane directly, you can look for more pics at the link at the top right of the page.

5 Stars

If they were apples, I'd eat 'em up! Rollin' on the Thomas train. 

Sweet Picture

Man, I really love these kids. 

Streetcar

A streetcar named Utica... 

Clowning Around

Two clowns...and a couple of guys in makeup and wigs. 

Larger than Life

Lifesize Thomas and kids. Notice...it was a cool morning in August. 

Books by Box

Our Sonlight curriculum has arrived...feels a bit like Christmas. Molly and the kids are so excited to begin school at home, and we are glad that the books arrived so quickly.

My Pride

Loiterers... 

Science is Fun

We had a great time today at the children's museum in Rockford. We bought a family pass for a year so that we could use the museum as a teaching tool while homeschooling. That also gives us access to hundreds of other museums around the country, but most helpful is the access to about 5 in the Chicagoland area.

The kids loved the creative outdoor playground, the exhibit on flight, and the water stuff in the toddler area as pictured here...


Fun at the children's museum in Rockford, IL. 

Fun With Toddlers

Snarly Dan 

Dusky Sky

Dusky sky behind our house in Woodstock. 

Sarah's getting tall. 

Jack 'n' Snacks. 

Our view at Wisconsin Dells. 

Wisconsin Dells...Elijah freaking out. 

Danimal growing up. 

Six Flags: Sarah and Elijah 

The kids 

homeschooling curriculum

I think we are going to order homeschooling curriculum from Sonlight. We are happy with it as best as we can tell from their website and catalog.

mccoy family blog on the air

We've decided it would be good to restart our family blog. I hope this blog is an encouragement to all who read as you hear about our family's experiences raising 4 great kids, homeschooling, learning to have a more godly home, and loving the Woodstock, Illinois community with the gospel.